Trump DOJ Sues Washtenaw County Officials for Defying ICE Detainers

The Department of Justice under President Trump is suing Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer, and the county Board of Commissioners for allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement operations. The 53-page complaint filed in the Eastern District of Michigan accuses the county officials of shielding undocumented immigrants, including criminal offenders, from apprehension by federal authorities.

The lawsuit claims that Washtenaw County’s policies deliberately thwart the constitutional obligation of the president to enforce immigration laws. It singles out Sheriff Dyer’s office for refusing to honor ICE detainer requests and alleges that Prosecutor Savit directs local prosecutors to avoid immigration consequences whenever possible. According to the suit, this conduct jeopardizes public safety by allowing dangerous individuals to remain free.

One highlighted case involves Mario Araujo Rodriguez, charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, who the county allegedly will not hold for ICE once released. The suit notes that in 2025 alone, Washtenaw County ignored 40 ICE detainer requests.

Sheriff Dyer defended her office’s stance, emphasizing that ICE detainers are merely requests, not mandates, and that local law enforcement is not required to act as federal immigration agents. She warned that complying could risk residents’ rights and expose the county to legal liability.

This lawsuit is part of a broader Trump administration crackdown on so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, which refuse to cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement. Trump’s executive order threatened to cut federal funding to these areas and directed the Justice Department to sue them. Washtenaw County joins a growing list of jurisdictions facing legal action, including cities and counties in Illinois, California, New York, and Colorado.

Tensions between the Trump administration and Washtenaw County have been escalating for months. County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, an immigrant’s son, openly criticized ICE’s tactics and hinted at defying federal law to protect immigrant residents. Sheriff Dyer has publicly condemned ICE operations in the county and pledged to shield immigrant families from enforcement actions, especially near schools and places of worship.

This lawsuit underscores the Trump administration’s willingness to use the courts to enforce its hardline immigration agenda, even as local officials push back against what they see as unconstitutional overreach and threats to community trust. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies nationwide.