NEW YORK — In a significant legal triumph for New York, a federal court has mandated the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reinstate nearly $34 million in anti-terrorism funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). This decision follows a lawsuit initiated by Attorney General Letitia James, with the backing of Governor Kathy Hochul.
On October 16, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York determined that DHS is required to allocate $33,898,500 in Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) funds that had been previously withheld. These funds are essential for enhancing security across New York’s subways, buses, and commuter rail lines — which are among the busiest transit systems in the nation..
“This ruling… is a victory for every New Yorker who rides our subways, buses, and commuter rails,” said Attorney General James and Governor Hochul in a joint statement. “We will always fight to ensure that New York gets the resources we need to support our law enforcement and keep people safe.”
The legal battle began on September 30, when Attorney General James sued DHS after the agency abruptly cut New York’s transit security funding from over $33 million to zero, a move the lawsuit alleged was politically motivated. DHS reportedly targeted New York for its “sanctuary city” policies, which protect undocumented immigrants from federal immigration enforcement.
The court found DHS’s decision unlawful and reinstated the full amount of grant funding, reaffirming that the federal government cannot arbitrarily withhold critical security resources from states or cities based on political disagreements.
The restored funds will now go toward safeguarding New York’s transit infrastructure against terrorism and other security threats — a vital concern in a city that remains one of the nation’s top targets.
The ruling is final and represents a significant win for state leaders in their ongoing efforts to protect federal funding for public safety and defend immigrant rights.
