Howard County to vote on banning ICE jails

The vote comes amid ongoing debates over immigration detention policies.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Howard County Council is set to vote on a proposal to ban the county from housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees. The vote follows ongoing debates over immigration detention policies in the region.

Why it matters

The proposed ban reflects growing opposition to ICE detention centers in local communities, with critics arguing they violate civil liberties and disproportionately impact immigrant communities. The vote could set a precedent for other counties considering similar measures.

The details

The Howard County Council is expected to vote on the proposal to ban the county from housing ICE detainees. The vote comes after months of debate, with supporters arguing the detention centers violate civil liberties and opponents saying the county should cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

  • The Howard County Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal tonight (February 5, 2026).
  • The proposal has been under consideration by the council for several months.

The players

Howard County Council

The legislative body of Howard County, Maryland that is set to vote on the proposal to ban the county from housing ICE detainees.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, which operates detention centers that the proposed ban would prohibit Howard County from housing.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow our county to be complicit in the unjust detention of immigrants.”

— Councilmember Opel Jones, Howard County Council Member (The Baltimore Sun)

“Cooperating with ICE is necessary to maintain public safety and uphold the rule of law.”

— Councilmember David Yungmann, Howard County Council Member (The Baltimore Sun)

What’s next

If passed, the ban would prohibit Howard County from entering into any new contracts or agreements to house ICE detainees. Existing contracts would need to be phased out.

The takeaway

The vote in Howard County reflects the ongoing national debate over the role of local governments in federal immigration enforcement, with proponents arguing the detention centers violate civil liberties and opponents saying cooperation is necessary for public safety.