Baltimore Councilmembers Introduce Measures to Limit ICE Enforcement

New bills aim to protect residents and restrict city cooperation with federal immigration agents.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Three Baltimore City Councilmembers are introducing two measures to address Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the city. The first is the "Safe Spaces and Communities Act" which would require city agencies to implement plans to protect residents when federal agents try to access information or private spaces in public buildings. The second is a resolution calling on state lawmakers to pass bills banning 287(g) agreements and prohibiting the use of face coverings by federal agents during immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

The proposed measures are a response to growing concerns in Baltimore's immigrant communities about increased ICE enforcement and detentions. The city council is seeking to limit the city's cooperation with federal immigration agents and protect public spaces like schools, libraries and parks from being used for immigration enforcement actions.

The details

The "Safe Spaces and Communities Act" would limit city personnel, resources and funds from being used to coordinate with ICE actions, and would only allow city police to cooperate with ICE if they have a judicial warrant, not just an administrative warrant. The resolution calls on the state to pass bills banning 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement to perform some federal immigration enforcement functions, and prohibiting federal agents from using face coverings during immigration enforcement.

  • On Monday, February 10, 2026, the two measures will be introduced to a Baltimore City Council committee.

The players

Odette Ramos

A Baltimore City Councilwoman representing District 14 and one of the lead sponsors of the proposed measures.

Paris Gray

A Baltimore City Councilman representing District 8 and one of the lead sponsors of the proposed measures.

Mark Parker

A Baltimore City Councilman representing District 1 and one of the lead sponsors of the proposed measures.

Wes Moore

The Governor of Maryland, who is being urged by sheriffs across the state to veto emergency bills that would ban 287(g) agreements.

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What they’re saying

“This policy would help protect students and families from discrimination based on immigration status, and limit unnecessary coordination with ICE in spaces that should be harmless.”

— Baltimore City College student (wbal.com)

“This is an important time for our city, an important time in our nation, and we have to take a stand. It is not good for us to stay silent.”

— Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Councilwoman (wbal.com)

What’s next

The two measures introduced by the Baltimore City Councilmembers will be considered by a city council committee on Monday, February 10, 2026.

The takeaway

Baltimore's city council is taking a stand against increased ICE enforcement in the city by introducing measures to limit the cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agents. These proposals aim to protect immigrant communities and public spaces from being used for immigration crackdowns.