MARYLAND - A proposed bill focused on partnerships between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) currently making its way through the Maryland legislature has led to numerous Maryland Sheriffs to speak out against it.
HB1222, or the Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act), would prohibit Maryland law enforcement from entering formal immigration enforcement partnerships with ICE and sunset current agreements between local police and the federal agency.
These agreements are entered through the federal 287(g) program.
Maryland Delegate Nicole Williams, representing Prince George’s County and one of the bill’s primary sponsors, seeks to end the implementation of that program in Maryland.
According to Williams, Frederick, Harford, and Cecil County Sheriff’s Offices are currently the only three Maryland jurisdictions entered into these agreements with ICE, though Carroll, Garrett, and Washington Counties are reportedly moving to join ICE through the 287(g).
Those counties’ law enforcement, Williams says, are obligated to spend their own funding to participate and are provided minimal immigration enforcement training from ICE.
“ICE will provide training, equipment, and oversight, but offers no form of reimbursement for staff time or overtime incurred by our localities,” Williams said at an initial bill hearing in front of Maryland’s Judiciary Committee in February. “In a budget year where our state is facing substantial deficits, it does not make financial sense to continue with these agreements.”
Williams also claimed the agreements between ICE and local police forces undermine Maryland’s values, uproot members of the community, and foster a fear of cooperation with law enforcement.
Delegate Williams said HB1222 would not stop local law enforcement from cooperating with valid warrants issued in relation to those convicted of violent crimes.
The Maryland Sheriff’s Association has issued harsh criticism of the bill, including Sheriff’s Offices here on the Eastern Shore. In a social media post shared Wednesday, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office called the bill a “dangerous piece of legislation.”
“This bill would handcuff law enforcement, making it harder to remove violent criminals who are in our country illegally - criminals who pose a very real threat to our families, our neighborhoods, and our way of life,” the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Sheriff’s Office included a video featuring various other Maryland Sheriffs speaking out against HB122. Among them was Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis and Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli.
The Sheriffs Association called for Marylanders to contact their local representatives to oppose HB1222.
“Federal partnerships are critical tools in our mission to protect the public. Without them, we risk letting dangerous individuals slip through the cracks,” The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office post reads.
HB1222 has cleared the Maryland House of Delegates and is currently scheduled for an initial hearing in front of the Maryland Senate on Thursday, March 27, at 1 p.m.