Boston is positioned to withstand federal funding cuts tied to sanctuary-city enforcement crackdowns. The city has a legal basis to challenge funding threats and built this year's budget to account for potential federal-driven financial unrest. The fiscal year 2026 budget totals $4.8 billion, a 4.4% increase that prioritizes core services while restricting new positions and major program investments. Federal funding totals about $300 million annually for city services, but most funds are congressional appropriations that are unlikely to be rescinded by executive action. City officials tightened the budget anticipatorily to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
Boston is well positioned to withstand federal funding cuts that may be tied to the Trump administration's crackdown on "sanctuary" cities, Mayor Michelle Wu said Wednesday. The city has a firm legal basis to fight back, and this year's budget was specifically crafted to account for potential financial unrest spurred by the federal government, she said. Wu's comments come a day after she rebuked Attorney General Pam Bondi and refused to abandon the city's immigration enforcement policies.
In a letter sent to Wu earlier this month, Bondi threatened to withhold federal funding until the city walks away from efforts to "thwart federal immigration enforcement." Boston relies on about $300 million in federal funding every year to support a variety of city services. But Wu said that most of these dollars are not at risk, despite Bondi's threats.
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