Case: United States v. Maine
1:26-cv-00275 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
Filed Date: May 27, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges a policy implemented by Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) that the United States alleges is discriminatory against federal agencies. On May 27, 2026, the United States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine against the State of Maine, its Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, all in their official capacities. The complaint alleged that Maine's BMV implemented a discriminatory policy regarding the issuance of confidential license plates to federal law enforcement agencies. Beginning in January 2026, the BMV halted such plates to federal agencies but not to state or local agencies. The following month, Maine developed a new application form requiring the head of any federal agency to attest that vehicles bearing confidential plates would not be used for federal civil immigration enforcement. Maine revised the application in May 2026, but the United States alleged that the revised attestation requirement continued to unlawfully discriminate against the federal government and effectively barred agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from obtaining confidential plates essential to officer safety, undercover operations, and ongoing investigations. The complaint asserted two counts under the Supremacy Clause and sought a declaratory judgment, a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the policy, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief the Court deemed appropriate. The case was assigned to District Judge Karen Wolf.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
(6/7/2026)
Ian Gibson (6/30/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73402739/parties/united-states-v-state-of-maine/
SCHULTE, ALEXANDRA (Maine)
MONCURE, HALLIDAY (Maine)
SUITTER, PAUL E. (Maine)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73402739/united-states-v-state-of-maine/
Last updated Aug. 24, 2026, 3:12 a.m.
Docket for: United States v. STATE OF MAINE
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 of America.
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
State
State of Maine
Case Details
Causes of Action:
All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of Maine 1:26-cv-00275
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Discrimination Area:
Case Summary of United States v. Maine, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48201/ (last updated 6/30/2026).