Justice Department Sues Maryland Over Sanctuary Policy
The Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against Maryland, challenging its sanctuary policy aimed at safeguarding undocumented immigrants from federal immigration enforcement.
Deputy Attorney General Stanley Woodward remarked, “Federal immigration officials are merely enforcing the laws passed by our elected representatives in Congress, which reflect the will of our people.”
He further added, “When sanctuary jurisdictions create laws that protect illegal aliens from federal enforcement, they not only break federal law but also silence the voices of regular American voters. Today’s lawsuit shows that this department will not accept this kind of defiance by leaders in blue states.”
The DOJ’s lawsuit accuses Maryland, along with prominent state officials such as Democratic Attorney General Anthony Brown, of hindering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who enforce federal immigration laws established by Congress.
Particularly, the lawsuit criticizes Maryland’s Community Trust Act, a law enacted this year that prohibits local law enforcement and state agencies from engaging with ICE officers in any situation.
The complaint about the Community Trust Act states, “The purpose and effect of this law is to obstruct federal law enforcement and interfere with the President’s constitutional obligation to enforce immigration laws enacted by Congress. The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution forbids the state from interfering in this manner with Congress and the executive branch.”
This lawsuit against Maryland adds to a series of around 20 lawsuits the DOJ has initiated against various sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide. Similar actions have been taken against Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York due to comparable policies.
In recent developments, a federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit against New Jersey’s sanctuary policy, contending that the federal government did not have standing to bring the case.
The case is United States vs. Maryland, case number 1:26-cv-2719, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
