Story perspectives

Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Over Washtenaw Immigration

8/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Judge F. Kay Behm dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration lawsuit against Washtenaw County.
Suit, filed April 9, targeted Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer, Prosecutor Eli Savit, and county board.
Behm ruled officials failed to allege Washtenaw County exceeded Tenth Amendment authority.
She said the Immigration and Nationality Act does not require localities to follow immigration requests.
The White House has filed 14 lawsuits, most dismissed, per the Immigration Policy Tracking Project.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Printz v. United States barred Congress from commandeering state officials to enforce federal immigration policy. That precedent guided Judge F. Kay Behm’s dismissal of former President Trump’s lawsuit seeking to compel Washtenaw Sheriff Alyshia Dyer to act, reaffirming limits on federal mandates to local law enforcement.

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Story summary

Judge F. Kay Behm dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration lawsuit against Washtenaw County.
Suit, filed April 9, targeted Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer, Prosecutor Eli Savit, and county board.
Behm ruled officials failed to allege Washtenaw County exceeded Tenth Amendment authority.
She said the Immigration and Nationality Act does not require localities to follow immigration requests.
The White House has filed 14 lawsuits, most dismissed, per the Immigration Policy Tracking Project.

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