DOJ expands sanctuary city litigation with 20 federal lawsuits
DOJ files 20 lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions under Trump's April 2025 executive order on immigration enforcement.
Event / Politics
Trump Sanctuary City Lawsuits
The Trump administration filed lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions challenging state and local immigration policies that obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Jul, 06:52 UTC
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What happened
DOJ Civil Division has filed 20 lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions
The Department of Justice's Civil Division has filed a total of 20 lawsuits targeting state and local policies that obstruct federal law enforcement. These lawsuits target jurisdictions in multiple states including Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, and Maryland. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche instructed the Civil Division to identify such policies across the country.
Department of Justice files lawsuit against Maryland over sanctuary immigration policies
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a 33-page lawsuit in federal court against the State of Maryland and Attorney General Anthony Brown on July 9, 2026. The lawsuit challenges Maryland's Senate Bill 791, which the DOJ alleges obstructs federal immigration law enforcement. The complaint argues that Maryland's sanctuary policies are preempted by federal law under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
President Trump issued executive order on sanctuary jurisdiction enforcement in April 2025
In April 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the identification of jurisdictions that obstruct federal immigration enforcement. This order preceded the recent wave of DOJ lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions.
Maryland facilities refuse federal immigration detainers
According to the DOJ complaint, Maryland state facilities refuse routine detainers for transferring individuals in the country illegally to federal custody. The DOJ alleges this refusal creates operational problems for federal immigration officers and undermines enforcement efforts.
Baltimore County listed as sanctuary jurisdiction by DOJ
Baltimore County, Maryland was included on the Justice Department's list of jurisdictions that obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
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DOJ sues Maryland over sanctuary immigration enforcement policies
DOJ sues Maryland for refusing to cooperate with federal immigration detainer requests.