Baltimore Councilman Calls for End to City's ICE Cooperation

Community leaders demand changes to address 'atrocity' inside federal immigration facility

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway, who is running for Congress, joined community leaders in calling for the city to end its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Conway referenced a video showing concerning conditions inside the ICE facility and said the city should prohibit ICE from accessing non-public spaces in city-owned buildings without a warrant, establish a clear line between local policing and immigration enforcement, and stop participating in ICE operations around the city.

Why it matters

The calls to end ICE cooperation in Baltimore come amid broader debates over immigration enforcement and the treatment of undocumented immigrants. Advocates argue that local law enforcement should not assist federal immigration authorities, which they say undermines public trust and safety. However, supporters of stricter immigration policies believe cities should cooperate with ICE to uphold the law.

The details

Councilman Conway and other community leaders gathered outside the George H. Fallon Federal Building to speak out against ICE operations in Baltimore. Conway called the conditions inside the ICE facility an 'affront' and 'atrocity' to the city's values and authority. He is calling on the City Council to pass legislation to limit ICE's access to city-owned buildings and prohibit the city from participating in ICE enforcement actions.

  • The press conference was held on Thursday, January 30, 2026.

The players

Mark Conway

A Baltimore City Councilman who is running for Maryland's 7th Congressional district seat.

Zeke Cohen

The President of the Baltimore City Council, who said he looks forward to reviewing Councilman Conway's proposed legislation.

Dana Vickers Shelley

The executive director of the ACLU of Maryland, who spoke about efforts in Annapolis to end agreements between the state and ICE that allow the agency to detain immigrants.

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What they’re saying

“I'm joining the folks here today because what is happening inside this federal building is an affront, an atrocity to the city. Not just to our values, to our authority, to our safety or our humanity. Baltimore is not required to be a staging ground for cruelty. We're not required to cooperate with it.”

— Mark Conway, Baltimore City Councilman

“Right now in Maryland, we're working in Annapolis to make sure that we can get rid of these agreements that our state, that (eight) counties across our state have with ICE which allows them to roam the streets of whatever county they're in and say to someone, 'Hey, you look like an immigrant, get in my car, I'm going to detain you.'”

— Dana Vickers Shelley, Executive Director, ACLU of Maryland

What’s next

Councilman Conway said he will be reaching out to his City Council colleagues 'very soon' to work on legislation to limit ICE's access and cooperation in Baltimore.

The takeaway

The calls to end ICE cooperation in Baltimore reflect the ongoing national debate over the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. Advocates argue that such cooperation undermines public trust and safety, while supporters believe cities should assist ICE in upholding immigration laws.