Advocates, county leaders react after Trump administration lawsuit against Washtenaw County dismissed
Washtenaw County won a legal battle over federal immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration's attempt to force Washtenaw County to use its resources to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations was tossed out in court after a federal judge said the U.S. lacks authority to override Washtenaw County's local resolution.
"Nothing in federal immigration law requires local governments to cooperate with ICE, or use their resources to advance federal enforcement priorities," said Jad Salemey, an immigration civil rights attorney with the Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan chapter.
A Washtenaw County resolution passed in January prohibited ICE from using the county jail or law enforcement officers to assist in conducting an activity unless ICE had a warrant. It also barred them from operating on county property, including county courts.
"This is about not cooperating, and complying, and providing county resources and personnel for federal law enforcement, and we would like to hold the federal government accountable for what they do," said Richard Stahler-Sholk, member of Movement for Immigrant Rights Action.
The judge cited the 10th Amendment as the reason the local resolution takes priority over federal demands not outlined in federal law.
"We, as a local government, a local community, are able to set those parameters on the utilization of our spaces," said Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi.
Rabhi, who recently won the Ann Arbor mayoral primary election, says that while potential litigation was a concern for some, it wouldn't stop him from taking a stand by proposing this resolution.
"I felt from the beginning that even if it meant the Trump Administration was going to take us to court, it was worth it, and that it is always worth it to stand up and protect our residents," he said.
Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer released a statement on Friday that said, in part, "Our community stands in solidarity with immigrants and supports the civil and constitutional rights of all people regardless of immigration status. The current climate demands bold, courageous leadership to defend our constitutional freedoms."
"I will not be intimidated by Donald Trump and my office will continue to prioritize providing just, compassionate public safety for our local community as local public servants," Dyer added.
This dismissal follows similar rulings in places like Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Denver that made it clear local governments don't need to comply with unwarranted federal immigration enforcement.
