Case: United States v. State of Washington
2:26-cv-00232 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Filed Date: May 27, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
[This summary is temporary while we research the case]. On May 27, 2026, the United States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington against the State of Washington and several of its officials in their official capacities. The complaint alleged that Washington had historically issued confidential and undercover license plates to DHS (and its components like ICE, HSI, and CBP) under state law, but that beginning around October 2025, the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) began denying DHS requests to obtain and renew such plates. In January 2026, DOL informed HSI that it was suspending issuance and renewal of undercover plates to DHS-affiliated entities indefinitely and was requiring DHS to surrender all existing undercover plates for destruction and replace them with publicly traceable federal government plates. The complaint alleged that Washington cited the "Keep Washington Working Act" as justification, while continuing to issue undercover plates to state and local law enforcement as well as other federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Secret Service — but not to DHS, ICE, or CBP. The United States brought two counts under the Supremacy Clause, alleging unlawful discrimination against and unlawful regulation of the Federal Government, and sought declaratory judgments, a permanent injunction, costs and fees, and any other relief the court deemed just and proper.
Summary Authors
(6/7/2026)
Jonah Miller (7/26/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73400915/parties/united-states-v-state-of-washington/
Bastian, Stanley Allen (Washington)
Faso, Alessandra (Washington)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73400915/united-states-v-state-of-washington/
Last updated Aug. 24, 2026, 3:12 a.m.
Docket for: United States v. State of Washington
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 27, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The United States, on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security and its immigration enforcement subcomponents
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-DOJ federal government plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
State
State of Washington
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Washington 2:26-cv-00232
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border:
Undocumented immigrants - state and local regulation
Case Summary of United States v. State of Washington, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48200/ (last updated 7/26/2026).