WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit on July 9, 2026, against the State of Maryland and Attorney General Anthony Brown. The lawsuit seeks to block enforcement of Maryland's Community Trust Act, arguing it interferes with the federal government's authority to enforce immigration laws and violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The complaint states the law limits compliance with immigration detainers and administrative warrants, restricts information sharing with federal authorities, and makes it more difficult to transfer individuals into federal immigration custody. The lawsuit alleges that Maryland facilities have refused to transfer undocumented immigrants to federal officials when a detainer has been issued.

Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward stated, "When sanctuary jurisdictions enact laws to shield illegal aliens from federal law enforcement, it is not merely federal law that is violated, but the voices of everyday American voters silenced." Woodward added, "Today's suit proves that this department will never stand for such lawless action from blue state leaders."

Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said, "The American people are ultimately the ones who suffer when states pass these irresponsible sanctuary policies." Shumate added, "The Department of Justice will always defend the Constitution and the rule of law, and it does so today by challenging Maryland's efforts to thwart federal immigration enforcement."

The Community Trust Act, enacted as Senate Bill 791, requires local law enforcement agencies to recognize judicial warrants rather than administrative immigration warrants in most circumstances. It also places additional limits on cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. Governor Wes Moore allowed the Community Trust Act to become law without his signature.

The DOJ stated that this lawsuit is one of more than 20 similar lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting policies it considers illegal. Similar lawsuits have been filed in Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York. As of Friday morning, Attorney General Anthony Brown's office had not issued a public response to the federal lawsuit.