DOJ sues Maryland over law limiting cooperation with ICE

The Justice Department sued Maryland in federal court on July 9, arguing the state's new Community Trust Act unlawfully blocks federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland Northern Division, is part of the Trump administration's broader push against Democratic-led jurisdictions it labels sanctuaries. DOJ lawyers contend the Maryland law bars correctional facilities from transferring people to federal custody without a judicial warrant, even though immigration arrests can also rely on administrative warrants. The complaint points to a May 29 episode at the Worcester County Jail, where officials allegedly stopped honoring ICE detainers and declined a scheduled pickup. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown's office declined to comment.