DOJ Sues Michigan’s Washtenaw County Over Immigration Policies

The Justice Department asked the court to block the county’s resolution that prohibited ICE agents from entering county property.

The Department of Justice building in Washington on March 11, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 9 sued Washtenaw County, Michigan, and its local officials, alleging that their policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement and shield illegal immigrants from arrest.

In the complaint, the DOJ said the county’s prosecuting attorney’s office, sheriff’s office, and board of commissioners prevented local agencies from honoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers and coordinating with federal immigration authorities and barred federal agents from entering county properties.

The department said the county’s sanctuary policies had led to the release of criminal illegal immigrants from police custody who would otherwise be subject to removal.

The complaint cited an incident in which an illegal immigrant, who had been released from the county’s custody, attempted to escape a traffic stop by ramming federal vehicles before fleeing on foot and being captured by federal agents.

“Federal agents are risking their lives to keep Michigan citizens safe, and yet Washtenaw County’s leaders are enacting policies designed to obstruct and endanger law enforcement,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.

“Counties may not deliberately interfere with our efforts to remove illegal aliens and arrest criminals—Washtenaw’s sanctuary policies will not stand,” he said.

The DOJ alleged that Washtenaw County has blocked information sharing with ICE. The complaint states that the county initially declined to honor ICE detainers and later informed the agency that it would no longer provide police reports without a formal request.

The department said the county’s policies require federal immigration agents seeking cooperation to present a judicial warrant, even though such warrants are not required under federal law.

“Washtenaw County’s policies aim to obstruct federal law enforcement and celebrate thwarting the constitutional obligation of the President of the United States to take care that federal immigration law be faithfully executed,” the complaint stated.

“These actions and more by Washtenaw County officials flout the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, which prohibits state, county, city, or other local governments from usurping congressional authority.”

The DOJ asked the court to block the county from enforcing the challenged policy and a resolution that prohibited ICE agents from entering county property.

The resolution, adopted by the county’s board of commissioners in January, prohibited ICE agents from using face coverings and required them to identify themselves when conducting civil immigration enforcement activities.

The Epoch Times reached out to Washtenaw County’s sheriff’s office for comment but did not receive a response.

The lawsuit adds to a string of DOJ legal challenges against cities and states with sanctuary policies, including Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Minnesota, and New Jersey.

In April 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security to pursue legal remedies for jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal law.

“This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Government’s obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States,” he stated. “It is imperative that the Federal Government restore the enforcement of United States law.”