ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Trump administration has officially taken Washtenaw County to court, accusing local leaders of turning immigration enforcement into a bureaucratic obstacle course – and possibly violating the Constitution while they’re at it.
Filed in federal court on April 9, the lawsuit claims the county’s “sanctuary-style” policies interfere with federal authority under the Supremacy Clause and make it harder for immigration agents to do their jobs.
Feds say county is obstructing the law.
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According to the complaint, Washtenaw County didn’t just draw a line – it built a wall of red tape. The filing alleges the county has taken “deliberate action that jeopardizes the public safety of all Americans” and is actively interfering with the Federal Government’s “authority to protect Americans from criminal illegal aliens.”
Federal attorneys also argue local policies “aim to obstruct federal law enforcement and celebrate thwarting” the president’s duty to enforce immigration law.
What the county actually did:
The lawsuit zeroes in on four key moves:
- Refusing to honor ICE detainers
- Limiting information-sharing with federal agents
- Encouraging prosecutors to consider avoiding immigration-related consequences when making charging decisions
- Requiring judicial warrants before ICE can access county facilities
Feds say in a press release that what the county is doing is shielding illegal aliens “from the reach of federal law enforcement” and prioritizing them over the safety of American citizens.
County fires back.
Washtenaw officials aren’t backing down. In an email to Michigan Daily, county counsel wrote, “We strongly disagree with the characterization of our policies and are confident that our policies are firmly grounded in constitutional principles. The County remains resolutely committed to public safety, enforcing the law, and protecting all members of our community. We are proud to be a welcoming community where all residents, including our immigrant residents, feel safe interacting with local government and law enforcement.”
Bigger than one county.
The DOJ made it clear this isn’t a one-off. Washtenaw is just the latest target in a growing list of lawsuits aimed at sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide.
