DOJ Sues States Over License Plate Policies for ICE Agents

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated lawsuits against four states—Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington—due to their refusal to provide undercover license plates for agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

On Thursday, the DOJ announced these legal actions aimed at overturning state policies that it claims undermine the effectiveness and safety of federal immigration enforcement personnel. The states are said to be blocking ICE from acquiring confidential license plates necessary for making arrests as part of broader immigration enforcement measures established during President Donald Trump’s administration.

“By denying undercover license plates to DHS components, including ICE, while issuing them to their own state agencies, these governors are pursuing discriminatory and obstructionist policies against federal law enforcement,” stated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. He highlighted the importance of ensuring agent safety, explaining that law enforcement officers put their lives on the line daily to protect the public and must have the means to perform their duties successfully.

This legal action aligns with the administration’s efforts to protect field personnel, shown in previous decisions to support the rights of federal agents to wear tactical gear while on duty in American cities. It follows a contentious interaction between the DOJ and state officials who have resisted compliance. Earlier this month, the DOJ issued warning letters urging these states to justify or revoke their license plate restrictions.

State officials have argued against the DOJ’s claims, stating that those policies are obstructing federal immigration enforcement. They emphasize that the regulation of immigration is solely a federal responsibility.

“What ICE did in Maine and continues to do was terrorize our friends and neighbors. There are no secret police in a democracy and we will always stand up for our Mainers’ safety and freedom,” asserted Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson expressed that while his state collaborates with federal criminal law enforcement, it remains firm in denying the license plates for civil enforcement purposes.

“Judges across the country have found that the Department of Homeland Security’s tactics in conducting civil immigration enforcement routinely violate the Constitution. That is unacceptable. Our state will not facilitate that misconduct,” Ferguson stated in an email.

A spokesperson for Oregon Governor Tina Kotek mentioned that the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has paused the issuance of new undercover license plates to federal agencies to review its existing policies. However, the spokesperson noted that state and local law enforcement are not affected by this pause, and federal agencies involved in the program can continue using their current unexpired plates.

“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe and must be able to carry out their duties effectively,” added Blanche, reiterating the department’s commitment to ensuring the operational safety of federal agents.