Trump administration sues four states for denying ICE undercover license plates
The states are accused of blocking undercover plates for Homeland Security agents as federal officials cite a 1,300% rise in assaults and threats.
- On Wednesday, the Justice Department sued Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington, alleging their policies denying undercover license plates to federal agents are "manifestly unconstitutional" and obstruct law enforcement operations.
- Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows paused new undercover plate issuances in January 2026, stating the state needed assurance plates would not be used for "lawless purposes" during federal immigration enforcement operations.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed state policies are "discriminatory and obstructionist," while Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey countered that the state's decision reflects a "legitimate and constitutional policy choice."
- This litigation mirrors the administration's broader legal battles against Democratic-led states over sanctuary city policies and federal agent mask requirements, which officials argue are essential for officer safety.
- Bellows remains defiant, stating, "If the DOJ wants to sue us over that, we'll see them in court," while officials in other states review the federal complaint to determine defense strategies.
118 Articles
118 Articles
DOJ escalates blue-state ICE standoff after states refuse key federal request
The Department of Justice announced on Thursday that it filed lawsuits against four Democrat-led states over their refusal to issue undercover license plates to ICE agents.DOJ Civil Division Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate previously issued an ultimatum to Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington, giving them until May 22 to provide immigration enforcement officers with undercover plates for their vehicles. Justice Department officia…
The federal government argues that undercover registrations are essential for the “operational effectiveness and security” of agents, who allegedly face a “selective harassment wave”
Trump administration sues WA, 3 other states over undercover license plate denials • Washington State Standard
Oregon license plates are pictured. Transportation officials in the state are reviewing a decision to refuse undercover license plates to federal agencies that has provoked a legal challenge from the Trump administration. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation/Flickr)The Trump administration sued four Democratic-led states Wednesday over the states’ refusal to grant undercover license plates to federal agents, marking the lat…
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