Justice suit targets states over plates for ICE officers
By: Drew Pittock
USA Today
..... The Department of Justice announced that it had filed lawsuits against four sates, alleging that their denial of confidential license plates for federal agents is unconstitutional.
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Maine, Washington, Oregon and Massachusetts were all hit with lawsuits May 27 [2026] from the DIJ, which alleges that their unwillingness to provide confidential, or undercover, license plates for federal immigration agents is "discriminatory" and unconstitutional.
..... The department had initially sent letters to representatives of each state May 12, [2026] asking that they reverse their policies.
..... According to the complaint, federal immigration agents take "certain measures to keep there activities and identities unknown to the general public and the criminals they investigate." That includes undercover licenses plates, which the DOJ said "cannot be easily tied back to their agencies through records requests or other means."
..... The complaint goes on to note that undercover plates are "explicitly authorized" under each state's laws, but that "some states have tried to obstruct the Federal Government;s immigration enforcement efforts" since President Donald Trump retook the White House in January 2025.
..... While each state's complaint reads slightly differently, they are hinge on the idea hat to issue confidential plates to some law enforcement agencies but not others - namely, immigration enforcements agencies - is discriminatory."
..... "This Department of Justice will exercise any and all lawful authorities to support the brave men and women of law enforcement," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "By denying undercover license plates to DHS components, including ICE, while issuing the to their own state agencies, these governors are pursuing discriminatory and obstructionist policies against federal law enforcement."
..... Federal immigration agents hiding their identities, whether through unmarked vehicles, or ask, has been a flash-point in Trump's mass deportation effort. The issue came to a head earlier this year [2026] after two pole Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were killed in Minnesota during ramped up immigration enforcement activities.
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In a statement shared with USA Today, Massachusetts Governor Naura Healey, a Democrat, said her administration supports the "legitimate criminal investigative" work of agencies from the local to federal level.
.... "But that's not what we are seeing from ICE and its unconstitutional tactics," she said.
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According to Healey, the state will not use its resources to "help ICE operate in secret, and without countability, while refusing to provide basic information about who they are arresting and why."
..... "That makes our communities less safe, undermines public trust, and will not be allowed in this state," she said.
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In Massachusetts, Healey noted, numerous federal agencies are able to apply for confidential license plates, including he FBU, DEA and ATF, with a "qualifying need." However, agencies hat deal in civil enforcement activities, which describes he vast majority of immigration enforcement actions, are not eligible.