The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Maryland and Attorney General Anthony Brown, seeking to block the state's newly enacted Community Trust Act. Federal officials argue the sanctuary law violates the Supremacy Clause by barring local jails from honoring ICE detainers or sharing information without a judicial warrant. While Maryland Governor Wes Moore's office and state legislative leaders defend the law as a protection of local resources and public safety, the DOJ and local sheriffs argue it actively thwarts federal immigration enforcement.
DOJ lawsuit against Maryland
- ▪The U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to block Maryland from enforcing the Community Trust Act, which went into effect in May 2026
- ▪The U.S. Department of Justice has filed similar lawsuits against at least 20 other jurisdictions, including Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York
- ▪The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit on July 9, 2026, against the state of Maryland and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown to block the state's sanctuary policies
- ▪The lawsuit against Maryland is part of a broader initiative ordered by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in February 2025 directing the Civil Division to challenge state and local sanctuary policies
Community Trust Act provisions
- ▪The Community Trust Act allows Maryland local authorities to coordinate with federal immigration officers when dealing with individuals convicted of felony crimes or sex offenses
- ▪Maryland's Community Trust Act prohibits state and local law enforcement from detaining or transferring individuals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody without a valid judicial warrant
- ▪Maryland Governor Wes Moore did not sign the Community Trust Act, allowing it to become law without his signature under a state rule requiring action within 10 days
- ▪The Community Trust Act bars Maryland local correctional facilities from asking detained individuals about their citizenship or immigration status
Constitutional supremacy clause claims
- ▪The federal government argues that Maryland's law unlawfully regulates federal operations by requiring judicial warrants for civil immigration enforcement, which federal law does not require
- ▪The U.S. Department of Justice claims the Community Trust Act violates federal statutes that prohibit states from restricting information-sharing about immigration status with federal authorities
- ▪The U.S. Department of Justice argues that Maryland's Community Trust Act violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by obstructing federal immigration law
Federal-state immigration enforcement conflict
- ▪In late May 2026, 17 of Maryland's 24 sheriffs filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming the Community Trust Act interferes with local coordination with ICE
- ▪Maryland House Minority Leader Jason Buckel stated that the state's sanctuary policies jeopardize public safety and invited the federal litigation
- ▪The federal lawsuit cites a May 29, 2026, incident where a Worcester County Jail warden refused an ICE pickup and detainer, citing the Community Trust Act
Maryland officials' response
- ▪The office of Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown declined to comment on the federal lawsuit
- ▪Rhyan Lake, spokesperson for Maryland Governor Wes Moore, stated that Maryland will not allow untrained and unaccountable ICE agents to deputize local law enforcement officers
- ▪Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk stated that the Community Trust Act simply clarifies that Maryland officers are responsible for enforcing state law, not federal civil immigration law
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