Trump DOJ sues officials in Michigan's Washtenaw County over immigration

Max Reinhart and Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Apr 9, 2026

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DETROIT — The federal government is suing Washtenaw County authorities, accusing them of obstructing federal immigration enforcement operations by the administration of President Donald Trump.

Named in the lawsuit are Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer and the county's Board of Commissioners in a six-count, 53-page complaint that was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

"Despite the ongoing threat that unvetted illegal aliens pose to American lives and property and the communities in which Americans reside, the County of Washtenaw, Michigan (“Washtenaw County”), through the actions of its officials, insists on obstructing federal immigration enforcement operations and shielding criminal offenders from apprehension by federal law enforcement," the complaint said.

"Washtenaw 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."

President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his second term.

Savit said he wasn't aware of the lawsuit when he was contacted by a Detroit News reporter Thursday afternoon. Savit, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for attorney general, said he likely wouldn't be able to comment because of the pending litigation.

The federal government alleges in the lawsuit that by "shielding criminal offenders from apprehension," the county officials "jeorpardize the public safety of all Americans."

State Sen. Jeff Irwin, a Democrat, said the suit sounded like a waste of money.

"The taxpayers pay for all of the lawyers," Irwin said. "There has to be more efficient ways for the federal government to deploy our tax dollars."