The Trump administration has filed lawsuits against four states for refusing to issue undercover license plates for federal agents. This move represents the latest confrontation between the White House and Democrat-run states over immigration policies.
The Department of Justice announced separate lawsuits against Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington. The department claims these states have enforced unconstitutional restrictions. These restrictions purportedly hinder law enforcement efforts and compromise agent safety. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that by denying undercover plates to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), these states promote discriminatory and obstructive policies against federal law enforcement.
“These actions undermine federal immigration enforcement, allow dangerous criminals to escape justice, and terrorize American communities,” Blanche commented.
The Justice Department filed the lawsuits in the respective federal district courts on Wednesday. The states are accused of attempting to thwart federal immigration law enforcement, despite immigration control being a federal prerogative according to the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, who oversees the state’s license program, expressed confidence in a legal victory. She criticized ICE’s practices, emphasizing a commitment to ensuring residents’ safety and freedom. Joy Campbell, representing Massachusetts, stated that the state’s attorneys are reviewing the lawsuit. Officials in Washington and Oregon did not provide comments.
The federal government argues that identifying federal agents easily poses safety risks. Agents frequently engage with violent criminals, including cartel members, gang leaders, sex offenders, and human traffickers. The Justice Department previously demanded states justify their policies. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey defended the state’s stance, arguing it reflects a legitimate policy decision not to allocate state resources for civil immigration enforcement.
Bellows had paused Maine’s issuance of confidential plates amid increased federal immigration control activities. State regulations required federal applicants for state plates to certify non-use for civil immigration enforcement, which the lawsuit claims illegally regulates the federal government. The state did not impose similar requirements for local agencies, making it discriminatory against federal operations.
The Trump administration likened the license plate issue to the masked agents’ controversy. Masking of federal agents during deployments in U.S. cities sparked debates, especially following violence during immigration enforcement activities. The administration defended this policy and successfully overturned a California law against masked enforcement agents. They also contested “sanctuary cities,” which do not cooperate with federal immigration efforts. The Justice Department was directed to identify all state and local laws potentially hindering federal operations.