By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- • A Maryland state lawmaker introduced legislation that would bar certain U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from holding state law enforcement jobs.
- • The proposed ICE Breaker Act of 2026 targets officers hired by ICE after Jan. 20, 2025, the start of President Trump’s current term.
- • Supporters say the bill is a response to heightened immigration enforcement and public safety concerns.
- • Critics argue the measure could face legal challenges and is politically controversial.
ANNAPOLIS, MD — A Maryland lawmaker has introduced a bill that would prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers hired during President Donald Trump’s current administration from serving in state law enforcement roles, according to local officials and media reports.
The proposed legislation, known as the ICE Breaker Act of 2026, would disqualify individuals who joined ICE on or after Jan. 20, 2025, from holding jobs with state law enforcement agencies, including the Maryland State Police and other state divisions. The restriction would not apply to officers hired before that date.
Delegate Adrian Boafo (D‑Prince George’s), the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to prevent those recruited under expanded federal immigration enforcement from later joining state police forces. Supporters frame the proposal as a response to community concerns about aggressive federal immigration tactics.
Opponents, including some Republican lawmakers and legal experts, have criticized the bill as potentially unconstitutional and politically motivated, saying it could be subject to legal challenges if passed.
The bill is set to be introduced when the Maryland General Assembly convenes for its 2026 session. Lawmakers will debate the proposal alongside other measures related to federal immigration enforcement and public safety hiring standards.