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DOJ Sues Washtenaw County Over Sanctuary Policies

4/12/2026

Center

Justice Department Sues

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Washtenaw County, Michigan, on April 9.
The suit accuses sanctuary policies of obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
The Justice Department targets Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer and others.
It asserts three policies violate the Supremacy Clause: a directive against honoring ICE detainers, a prosecuting attorney policy minimizing immigration consequences, and a resolution barring ICE from county property without a judicial warrant.

Left

Trump Targets Reddit User

The Trump administration escalated efforts to identify a Reddit user known as John Doe who criticized an ICE officer.
Reddit received a subpoena to appear before a grand jury in D.C., after an administrative subpoena failed.
John Doe's attorneys argue the posts are protected by the First Amendment and have filed a motion to quash.
Reddit maintains its commitment to user privacy and has resisted sharing information with the government.

History

Historical Context

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Arizona v. United States, striking down key provisions of Arizona's SB 1070 immigration law for conflicting with federal authority. This landmark decision underscored the federal government's supremacy in immigration matters, influencing local policies like those in Washtenaw County. Ongoing legal challenges, including a lawsuit against Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer, reflect persistent tensions between state and federal immigration enforcement.

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Justice Department Sues

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Washtenaw County, Michigan, on April 9.
The suit accuses sanctuary policies of obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
The Justice Department targets Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer and others.
It asserts three policies violate the Supremacy Clause: a directive against honoring ICE detainers, a prosecuting attorney policy minimizing immigration consequences, and a resolution barring ICE from county property without a judicial warrant.

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