By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed legislation Tuesday that bans local law enforcement from entering into formal 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• The law takes effect immediately and requires nine county agencies with existing agreements to terminate them.
• Several county sheriffs said they will continue working with ICE through informal or legal means despite the ban.
• Some sheriffs also indicated plans to explore constitutional challenges to the law.
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed emergency legislation Tuesday that prohibits state and local jurisdictions from entering into formal 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ending official partnerships that allowed local law enforcement to assist federal immigration enforcement.
Katharine Wilson/TNS
The new law, effective immediately, requires agencies in nine counties with existing 287(g) agreements to terminate those partnerships.
Despite the ban, several Maryland sheriffs said they intend to continue working with ICE in informal or legal capacities, including sharing arrest information and notifying ICE about individuals in custody who lack legal immigration status.
Sheriffs from jurisdictions including Carroll and Frederick counties said they will comply with the letter of the law but maintain communication with ICE and may pursue legal challenges, asserting constitutional concerns about restricting law enforcement cooperation.
The legislation follows legislative debate and public discussion over immigration enforcement roles for local police, and state officials said they plan to coordinate with federal authorities on shared public safety priorities even without 287(g) agreements.