ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — Sheriffs from across Maryland gathered in Annapolis Wednesday to testify in opposition to a pair of bills aimed at furthering curbing ICE cooperation and requires more enforcement oversight in Maryland.
Senate Bill 791 is sponsored by Sen. Clarence Lam, D-Anne Arundel and Howard Counties. It seeks to eliminate cooperation with ICE from all local governments. The bill comes just days after Gov. Wes Moore signed emergency legislation into law eliminating the formal 287(g) agreements in the state.
As the ink was drying on the new law, Gov. Moore also made it clear that local jurisdictions could still work with federal agencies in some capacity, especially when it comes to violent offenders.
The new law “does not prevent localities from continuing to notify ICE about the impending release” of someone within constitutional limits, according to guidance sent to local jurisdictions from Gov. Moore’s office after the 287(g)-ban bill was signed into law.
“This is intended to close any further loopholes that may exist to allow local governments to still cooperate with ICE,” Lam told FOX45 News Wednesday. “What this does is prevents local governments, beyond just law enforcement, from working as an extension of ICE in that way.”
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins and Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis were passionate in their opposition to the plan, as evident during a news conference before the legislation as slated for a committee hearing.
Sheriff Lewis said the guidance from Gov. Moore, “will eliminate everything and contradict everything the governor just told us we could still do.”
“We’re all damn mad over this, believe me,” Sheriff Jenkins added. “We’re angry, I’m angry.”
Sen. Lam pointed to ICE enforcement actions across the country, like Portland and Minneapolis, as reasons why he said his legislation is necessary.
“So I think we have to strike the right balance,” Lam said. “And I think what we’ve seen over the last couple months is that the balance has gotten askew.”
The senator said he believes the majority of Marylanders “believe that we do not need to have our local governments function as an extension of ICE, whether it’s just law enforcement or whether it’s other programs within local government as well.”
In January, a poll conducted in Maryland from late December through early January – notably before the controversial ICE enforcement action in Minneapolis unfolded – was published and it showed 54% of Marylanders support giving local jails the legal authority to run background checks on all detainees in cooperation with ICE.
“The bill sponsor is not being truthful. And I’ll call him out on that,” Jenkins said when asked about what Lam said previously.
Senate Bill 660 is sponsored by Sen. Sara Love, D-Montgomery County. The legislation seeks to require law enforcement agencies to respond to reports of immigration enforcement action within their jurisdiction, observe, record on body-worn cameras, and file reports on the activity. The legislation would also require law enforcement to collect applicable evidence. The reports and recordings would then be subject to Maryland’s Public Information Act laws.
“That means we are now pitting deputies, troopers, and local police officers against our federal partners,” Sheriff Lewis argued. “Who are we to tell them how to do their jobs? No more than lawmakers are trying to tell us how to do our jobs.”
The bills were heard in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and votes were not expected. It’s not clear if either proposal has enough support to succeed.
Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.
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