Maryland budget amendment ties police funding to immigration policy compliance

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A newly approved amendment to Maryland’s state budget is drawing sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers, who say it could jeopardize funding for local law enforcement agencies that fail to comply with state immigration policy.

The amendment, passed by the Maryland Senate, would withhold certain public safety funds from local agencies that maintain formal cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), commonly known as 287(g) agreements.

Under the measure, agencies would only receive funding if the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy determines they have ended such agreements and are in compliance with state law.

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Republican Delegate Matt Morgan called the move “absolutely hypocritical,” pointing to previous legal challenges from Maryland Democrats against federal efforts to withhold funding from states over policy disputes.

“We’ve seen Annapolis Democrats, including Governor Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown, sue the Trump administration multiple times over withholding funds,” Morgan said. “That was deemed unconstitutional, and now it looks like the state is doing the exact same thing to counties.”

Morgan warned the amendment could have significant financial consequences for several jurisdictions, including Frederick, Carroll, Harford, and St. Mary’s counties. He noted that in his own county alone, approximately $124 million in public safety funding could be at risk.

Local law enforcement agencies, he added, are concerned about the potential impact.

“It would be huge. It’s defunding the police, Annapolis-style,” Morgan said. “This is about intimidating law enforcement and forcing them to comply with political priorities.”

Morgan also emphasized the unique role of sheriffs in Maryland, who are elected officials with constitutional authority, unlike appointed police chiefs. He suggested that legal challenges to the amendment could be forthcoming.

“If sheriffs choose to file a legal grievance against the state, I think they would be in good standing,” he said. “It would be a significant lawsuit.”

ALSO READ | Maryland sheriffs say ICE ties will continue despite lawmakers dismantling 287(g)

Beyond the amendment, Morgan expressed broader concerns about the state’s financial outlook. He argued that the current budget does little to address what he described as a looming structural deficit.

According to Morgan, Maryland transitioned from a $5 billion surplus at the end of former Governor Larry Hogan’s administration to a projected $3 billion structural deficit next year.

“The governor has not come out and said what he plans to do to eliminate that,” Morgan said, adding that members of the Maryland Freedom Caucus worry tax increases could be on the horizon, including a potential rise in the state sales tax.

State officials have not yet detailed how compliance with the amendment will be assessed or how many jurisdictions could be affected.