A coalition of county sheriffs from across Maryland voiced strong opposition this week to state legislation and executive actions limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Speaking in Annapolis, sheriffs representing jurisdictions including Wicomico County, Frederick County, Worcester County, and Harford County argued that the new restrictions place political considerations ahead of public safety and limit their ability to coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

At the center of the dispute is the state’s decision to prohibit participation in the federal 287(g) program, a policy shift formalized by Wes Moore on February 17. The program had allowed certain local jail personnel to perform immigration status checks and facilitate the transfer of undocumented inmates to federal custody. According to participating counties, the arrangement had been used for years to identify individuals already in detention for criminal offenses and coordinate their handoff to federal authorities.

Sheriffs testified before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee regarding Senate Bills 660 and 791, warning that the measures would further restrict information sharing and operational coordination. They contend that without structured cooperation, federal agents will be forced to conduct more field operations, increasing risks for officers and the public while allowing individuals with criminal histories to be released back into communities before immigration proceedings can begin.

Data cited by Frederick County officials indicated that more than 1,800 inmate transfers had occurred under the program since 2008, which they argue demonstrates its role in removing individuals convicted of serious offenses. Law enforcement leaders also pointed to polling they say shows majority public support for continued jail-based coordination with federal immigration authorities.

Supporters of the new policies, including state lawmakers aligned with the governor, maintain that limiting local involvement in federal immigration enforcement improves trust between immigrant communities and police. They argue that separating local policing from immigration functions encourages crime reporting, reduces civil rights concerns, and allows officers to focus on core public safety responsibilities rather than federal administrative processes.

The policy clash reflects a broader national debate over the appropriate boundaries between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies. In Maryland, the immediate operational impact will depend on how departments adjust notification procedures and custodial policies within the new legal framework.

Sheriffs have pledged to continue notifying federal authorities when individuals with immigration holds are scheduled for release, within the limits of state law, and signaled their intention to advocate for legislative changes. As implementation of the restrictions moves forward, the balance between public safety priorities, legal constraints, and community relations will remain at the forefront of the state’s law enforcement policy discussions.