Trump Administration Sues Washtenaw County Over Immigration Enforcement

Lawsuit challenges county resolution restricting federal agents from entering county-owned buildings.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:08pm

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A fractured, abstract painting in shades of blue, grey, and white depicting the silhouette of a government building or courthouse, representing the clash between federal and local immigration policies.The legal battle over immigration enforcement policies in Washtenaw County reflects the ongoing tensions between federal and local authorities.Ann Arbor Today

The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against officials in Washtenaw County, Michigan, accusing them of obstructing federal immigration enforcement operations. The 53-page lawsuit challenges a county resolution that opposes the use of masks or face coverings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and requires them to have a valid judicial warrant to be on county-owned property.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is part of the ongoing tension between federal immigration authorities and local jurisdictions that have implemented policies to limit cooperation with ICE. The outcome could set a precedent for how much authority local governments have to restrict federal immigration enforcement activities within their borders.

The details

The lawsuit names Washtenaw County Sheriff Alysia M. Dyer, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, and the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners as defendants. It claims the county's policies aim to "obstruct federal law enforcement and celebrate thwarting the constitutional obligation of the President of the United States to take care that federal immigration law be faithfully executed." Less than a month after Washtenaw County passed its resolution, the city of Ann Arbor also passed a policy prohibiting ICE agents from entering or using non-public areas in city facilities without a judicial warrant.

  • The Washtenaw County resolution was passed on January 21, 2026.
  • The city of Ann Arbor passed its own policy prohibiting ICE agents from entering city facilities without a warrant less than a month after Washtenaw County's resolution.

The players

Alysia M. Dyer

Washtenaw County Sheriff.

Eli Savit

Washtenaw County Prosecutor who is running as a Democrat for Michigan Attorney General.

Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

The county governing body named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

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What’s next

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office is expected to provide a statement on the lawsuit later on Friday.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing conflict between federal immigration authorities and local jurisdictions that have implemented policies to limit cooperation with ICE. The outcome could set an important precedent for the balance of power between federal and local governments on immigration enforcement.