DOJ Sues Maryland Over Immigration Law, Alleging Obstruction of Federal Authority

The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Maryland in federal court, alleging a new state law illegally obstructs federal authority. The lawsuit, filed July 9, 2026, targets a law that curtails cooperation between local jails and law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This legal action escalates existing acrimony between the Trump administration and Maryland.

DOJ lawsuit against Maryland

• ▪The lawsuit targets a new Maryland law that curtails cooperation between local jails and law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• ▪The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Maryland in federal court on July 9, 2026.

Maryland-federal government tensions

• ▪The Department of Justice alleges that Maryland's new law thwarts the authority of the Trump administration.
• ▪The legal action adds to existing acrimony between the Trump administration and the state of Maryland.

1 source