Justice Department Sues Maryland Over Sanctuary Policy
The Justice Department has initiated legal action against Maryland, accusing the state of actively undermining federal immigration enforcement through its sanctuary policies. This lawsuit was filed on Thursday in federal court in Maryland.
In February 2025, the U.S. attorney general directed the Justice Department’s civil division to identify local and state policies that offer protection to undocumented immigrants. Following this directive, nearly 20 other lawsuits have surfaced in states such as Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York.
The Justice Department claims that Maryland’s newly enacted Community Trust Act—passed this year—poses a risk to public safety by obstructing immigration-related arrests and deportations.
Deputy Attorney General Stanley Woodward remarked, “Federal immigration officials enforce laws set by our elected officials in Congress. This lawsuit demonstrates our commitment to countering illegal actions by leaders in blue states.”
This lawsuit contends that Maryland’s law infringes upon the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which mandates that state laws must align with federal laws. According to federal attorneys, the Community Trust Act prevents local governments from collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other immigration authorities.
They cited an incident from May 29, 2026, where a jail warden informed a deportation officer that, due to the Community Trust Act, their facility would no longer honor or notify ICE regarding detainees when they were ready for release.
The law explicitly states that Maryland correctional facilities cannot transfer individuals to federal custody without a valid judicial warrant. However, the Justice Department argues that immigration laws permit arrests based on administrative warrants as well.
Most local law enforcement officials in Maryland seem to concur with the federal government’s stance on the Community Trust Act. In late May, 17 of the state’s 24 sheriffs even filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that the law hampers their ability to cooperate with ICE regarding individuals in custody who might endanger public safety.
The sheriffs indicated that Governor Wes Moore, named in the lawsuit, had informed them during a phone call that he was aware of the potential unintended consequences this legislation could bring.
While Governor Moore did not sign the Community Trust Act, Maryland’s law stipulates that any bill passed by both chambers automatically becomes law if the governor takes no action within ten days. Moore’s office confirmed that he explained his reasoning for allowing the bill to become law without his signature.
Moore has previously indicated that despite the challenges tied to implementing the Community Trust Act, it aims to maintain a focus on reducing violent crime in Maryland. A representative from his office stated that local authorities can still work with federal officials regarding individuals convicted of serious crimes.
Although Moore’s office has refrained from commenting on the Justice Department’s lawsuit, they issued a statement critiquing President Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement. They asserted that Maryland would collaborate with the federal government to ensure citizen safety but would not permit unaccountable ICE officers to conduct immigration operations on behalf of law enforcement.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s office, also named in both the federal lawsuit and the sheriff’s complaint, has declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Justice, the White House, and the Department of Homeland Security for their perspectives.
