DOJ sues Maryland over sanctuary policies, cites obstruction of immigration enforcement
9 reported
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Maryland, accusing the state of an "active and deliberate effort" to obstruct federal immigration enforcement through its sanctuary policies. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Maryland federal court, targets the state's Community Trust Act, which the DOJ argues jeopardizes public safety by thwarting immigration-related arrests and deportations. The DOJ contends the law violates the supremacy clause of the Constitution, which requires state laws to comply with federal law. The suit is one of 21 such actions brought since February 2025, when the U.S. attorney general ordered the DOJ's civil division to identify sanctuary policies. The DOJ cited a May 29, 2026 incident where a Worcester County Jail warden refused to honor ICE detainers or release an individual to ICE custody, citing the Community Trust Act. Seventeen of Maryland's 24 sheriffs have also sued the state over the law, claiming it interferes with public safety coordination with ICE. Governor Wes Moore, who did not sign the act but allowed it to become law, has declined to comment on the DOJ lawsuit but issued a statement criticizing President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement approach.
What’s reported
The DOJ sued Maryland over its sanctuary policies, accusing the state of an "active and deliberate effort" to obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Maryland federal court.
The suit targets the Community Trust Act, passed this year, which the DOJ says jeopardizes public safety by thwarting immigration-related arrests and deportations.
The DOJ argues the law violates the supremacy clause of the Constitution.
The suit is one of 21 such actions since February 2025, including against Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York.
On May 29, 2026, a Worcester County Jail warden told a detention and deportation officer the facility would no longer honor ICE detainers or release individuals to ICE custody due to the Community Trust Act.
Seventeen of Maryland's 24 sheriffs sued the state in late May, saying the law interferes with coordination with ICE regarding public safety threats.
Governor Wes Moore did not sign the Community Trust Act but allowed it to become law without his signature.
Moore's office declined to comment on the DOJ lawsuit but issued a statement criticizing President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement approach.
Key figures
Stanley Woodward, Associate U.S. Attorney General
Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland
Anthony Brown, Maryland Attorney General
President Donald Trump
Sources: foxnews.com
