Justice Department Sues Maryland Over Sanctuary Policies

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in federal court against Maryland and its attorney general, Anthony Brown, on Thursday.

The suit takes issue with the state’s sanctuary policies for curtailing cooperation between state facilities and immigration authorities on federal immigration law enforcement.

Officials said Maryland facilities refuse routine detainers for transferring individuals illegally in the country to federal custody, leading to operational problems for federal officers. The complaint alleges the policies are preempted by federal law under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

“Federal immigration officers merely enforce the laws that our Nation’s elected representatives in Congress passed, reflecting the will of We the People,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in a statement. “When sanctuary jurisdictions enact laws to shield illegal aliens from federal law enforcement, it is not merely federal law that is violated, but the voices of everyday American voters silenced. Today’s suit proves that this Department will never stand for such lawless action from blue state leaders.”

Brown did not immediately return a request for comment.

The complaint argues that intentional obstruction puts the public at risk.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche instructed the Civil Division to pinpoint state and local policies that obstruct federal operations.

This marks the latest in many similar lawsuits filed by the division against jurisdictions in states such as Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York.

The policies undermine enforcement and allow individuals to evade removal proceedings, the DOJ stated.

“The American people are ultimately the ones who suffer when states pass these irresponsible sanctuary policies,” Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division said. 

“The Department of Justice will always defend the Constitution and the rule of law, and it does so today by challenging Maryland’s efforts to thwart federal immigration enforcement,” said Shumate.

The suit argues the actions run afoul of federal and constitutional law. 

The Trump administration has taken action against similar so-called sanctuary policies for more than a year. 

In April 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing identification of jurisdictions that obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

Then-Attorney General Pam Bondi sent demand letters in August 2025 to sanctuary jurisdictions, warning of legal consequences.

Baltimore County, Maryland, appeared on the Justice Department’s list of such jurisdictions at the time.

Bondi noted that officials who help carry out sanctuary policies could face individual criminal liability.

“For too long, so-called sanctuary jurisdiction policies have undermined this necessary cooperation and obstructed federal immigration enforcement, giving aliens cover to perpetrate crimes in our communities and evade the immigration consequences that federal law requires,” Bondi wrote.

“Any sanctuary jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court.”