Overview
- The Justice Department sent formal letters to Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Maine ordering them to rescind policies that block federal officers from getting undercover license plates by May 22.
- DOJ argues the restrictions violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and says it will seek judicial relief if the states refuse.
- The letters describe uneven rules, with Washington and Oregon denying plates to all Homeland Security units, Massachusetts allowing Homeland Security Investigations but not ICE, and Maine requiring a pledge not to use the vehicle for civil immigration enforcement.
- Officials say the limits hinder covert investigations and raise safety risks by making federal vehicles easier to spot, citing cases tied to drug and weapons trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, and fraud.
- Undercover plates are state-issued numbers that hide a vehicle’s federal use, and DOJ says the standoff will move to court if no rescissions come by the deadline.