Maryland Senate Considers Bill to End 287(g) Immigration Program

The program allows local law enforcement to work with ICE to identify inmates for potential deportation.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:31pm

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The Maryland Senate held a preliminary hearing on a bill that would end the 287(g) program, which allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to work with local law enforcement to identify people in jail who can be removed from the country. Democratic lawmakers have proposed the bill to end the program, which they argue violates the Fourth Amendment. However, some Republican lawmakers believe the decision to cooperate should be left up to individual counties.

Why it matters

The 287(g) program has been a controversial issue, with critics arguing it erodes trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement and leads to racial profiling. Proponents say it's a necessary tool for public safety. The outcome of this bill could have significant implications for immigration enforcement in Maryland.

The details

The bill was introduced by Maryland Democratic lawmakers and would end the 287(g) program in the state. Baltimore County Sen. Charles Sydnor argued the program "violates the Fourth Amendment" and must end. However, Maryland State Sen. Steve Hershey said the decision to cooperate with ICE should be left up to individual counties rather than being dictated by the state.

  • The Senate held a preliminary hearing on the bill on Thursday, January 30, 2026.
  • The final vote in the Senate is expected on Tuesday.

The players

Charles Sydnor

A Baltimore County senator who argued the 287(g) program violates the Fourth Amendment.

Steve Hershey

A Maryland state senator who believes the decision to cooperate with ICE should be left up to individual counties.

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What they’re saying

“It violates the Fourth Amendment. We can't talk about anything else that would be any more foundational to our constitutional laws and public safety.”

— Charles Sydnor, Baltimore County Senator

“Rather than allowing them to make the best choices on how to handle public safety in their communities, we are dictating what they must or cannot do in this case. That's not the way we should be handling public safety.”

— Steve Hershey, Maryland State Senator

What’s next

The final vote in the Senate on the bill is expected on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This bill highlights the ongoing debate over the 287(g) program and the balance between immigration enforcement and civil liberties. The outcome could have significant implications for how Maryland handles this controversial issue.