A Michigan county stands accused of shielding child sex offenders and violent criminals from ICE deportation through defiant sanctuary policies, prioritizing illegal aliens over American families’ safety.
Story Highlights
- DOJ files lawsuit on April 10, 2026, against Washtenaw County for violating federal immigration laws with sanctuary resolutions that block ICE cooperation.
- County released convicts of child sexual conduct under 13, sexual assault, domestic violence, and DUI, creating public safety threats and endangering federal agents.
- This marks the 15th such suit in a year under Trump’s DOJ, targeting remnants of open-border chaos from prior administrations.
- Democratic prosecutor Eli Savit, running for Michigan AG, allegedly drops charges to evade ICE, fueling federal-local power clashes.
Lawsuit Targets Sanctuary Obstruction
On April 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a 53-page lawsuit in the Eastern District of Michigan against Washtenaw County, its Board of Commissioners, Sheriff Alysia M. Dyer, the Sheriff’s Office, Prosecuting Attorney Eli Savit, and his office. Federal authorities charge these sanctuary policies directly interfere with immigration enforcement. Resolutions ban ICE cooperation, restrict agent access to county properties without judicial warrants, prohibit sharing immigration status information, and lead to dropped charges against criminal illegal aliens. Such actions violate 8 U.S.C. § 1373 and the Supremacy Clause, placing local defiance above national law.
January Resolution Sparks Federal Action
Washtenaw County passed its key resolution on January 21, 2026, barring ICE from county-owned buildings without warrants, opposing masked federal agents, and limiting all cooperation. Ann Arbor followed in late February with similar restrictions on city facilities. These measures responded to President Trump’s post-2024 election deportation surge. DOJ documents specific harms: county releases of individuals convicted of criminal sexual conduct with children under 13, sexual assault, domestic violence, and DUI. Released offenders fled custody, attempted escapes, and even rammed federal vehicles, heightening risks to officers and residents.
Broader Trump DOJ Crackdown Emerges
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche leads this as the 15th lawsuit in the past year, following suits in New York, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Boston, and New Jersey. The campaign enforces federal supremacy, dismantling Biden-era sanctuary holdouts that shielded criminals. Washtenaw, a Democratic stronghold home to the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor, embodies progressive resistance. Prosecutor Savit, a Democrat eyeing Michigan attorney general, faces accusations of dismissing cases to avoid ICE scrutiny. This suit seeks declaratory judgment and permanent injunctions to compel compliance.
County officials strongly disagree, claiming policies rest on constitutional principles to foster immigrant trust and public safety. They pledge a vigorous defense amid pending court proceedings. Such local pushback underscores deepening federal-state tensions in Trump’s second term, where Republicans hold Congress despite Democratic obstruction.
But leaves #CorruptCA and it's Sanctuary Policies alone…
DOJ Sues Michigan County Over 'Sanctuary' Policies Allegedly Shielding Criminal Illegal Aliens https://t.co/rhHZubI02g
— Dawn Wildman (@WildmanDawn) April 13, 2026
Public Safety and Elite Disconnect
Washtenaw residents endure elevated crime risks from these releases, while federal agents face direct threats. Immigrants may lose local shields, but American communities gain protection from reoffenders. Short-term, an injunction could force ICE detainer honors and boost deportations. Long-term, precedents pressure other sanctuary areas, advancing Trump’s America First mandate. Litigation burdens county taxpayers, highlighting how elite-driven policies—defended by figures like Savit—frustrate citizens on both sides weary of government failing core duties. Conservatives see victory in restoring law and order; even shared bipartisan anger at unaccountable officials grows as hard-working families demand safety and sovereignty.
Sources:
Trump administration sues Washtenaw County over immigration enforcement
