Governor Wes Moore (D-MD), who has been frequently floated as a potential presidential candidate, signed legislation on Tuesday that would effectively ban all state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement agreements.
Maryland Democrat Governor Wes Moore signs legislation into law to prevent state and local cooperation with ICE.
Moore is choosing to make it harder for ICE officers to deport criminal illegals. pic.twitter.com/DXwIOtbqdn
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 18, 2026
Senate Bill 245 and House Bill 444, functioning as companion “cross-filed” bills, prohibit the State of Maryland, its counties, municipalities, and local sheriffs from entering into or maintaining contracts, intergovernmental service agreements, or memoranda of understanding with the federal government to enforce civil immigration law. Most notably, the legislation targets the controversial 287(g) partnerships, which previously allowed local law enforcement officers to perform the functions of federal immigration agents.
Classified as emergency legislation, the law requires any jurisdiction currently operating under such an agreement to exercise its termination provision within 90 days.
Governor Moore, who had previously signaled his support for the measures, framed the signing as a step toward ensuring that all Marylanders feel protected by their local government. Supporters of the bills argued that entangling local police with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) eroded trust within immigrant communities, making residents less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations for fear of deportation.
“By removing local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, we are building a stronger bridge of trust between our law enforcement officers and the communities they serve,” proponents stated during the legislative session.
However, the move has not been without intense scrutiny. Opponents, including several county sheriffs and Republican lawmakers, raised significant concerns regarding public safety. They argued that programs like the Criminal Alien Program (CAP) are vital for identifying and removing incarcerated undocumented immigrants who may pose a threat to the community. Critics expressed fears that the loss of these federal partnerships would limit the ability of local authorities to keep “at-large” criminal offenders off the streets.
The legislation builds upon a foundation laid during a 2021 special session, which previously restricted the use of private detention facilities and limited when police could inquire about an individual’s immigration status during routine stops.
While the new law restricts active enforcement partnerships, it does not override federal mandates regarding the exchange of information. Under federal law, state and local entities are still prohibited from restricting the sharing of information regarding an individual’s citizenship or immigration status with ICE.
But the total ban on operational “immigration enforcement agreements” signals that Maryland has officially withdrawn its personnel and resources from the front lines of federal immigration control.
.png)
.png)
