Advocates Rally to Protect Immigrants' Rights, Limit ICE Cooperation

Proposed legislation in Maryland aims to restrict local law enforcement's involvement with federal immigration authorities.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Advocates, including members of the ACLU and CASA, rallied at the Maryland State House on Monday to support bills that would protect immigrants' rights and limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The proposed legislation includes banning 287(g) agreements, restricting how correctional facilities and police work with ICE, and prohibiting racial profiling by law enforcement.

Why it matters

The rally and proposed legislation highlight ongoing tensions between immigrant advocates and federal immigration enforcement efforts. Supporters argue the bills are necessary to uphold immigrants' constitutional rights and prevent racial profiling, while opponents warn the legislation could lead to increased ICE activity and higher crime rates.

The details

The key bills being considered in the Maryland legislature include: 1) Emergency legislation (HB 444 and SB 245) that would ban 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement to assist ICE; 2) The Community Trust Act (SB 791) that would limit how correctional facilities and police work with federal immigration authorities; and 3) A bill (SB 854/HB 1262) that would prohibit law enforcement from engaging in racial profiling. Advocates are also calling for a data privacy bill to protect personal information like immigration status.

  • The rally took place on Monday, February 17, 2026 at the Maryland State House.
  • The proposed legislation is being considered during the current Maryland legislative session.

The players

ACLU of Maryland

A civil liberties organization that advocates for the protection of constitutional rights, including immigrants' rights.

CASA

A Latino and immigrant rights organization that participated in the rally to support the proposed legislation.

Danielle Tyler

The director of strategic communications for the ACLU of Maryland.

N. Scott Phillips

A Democratic delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 10.

Malcolm Ruff

A Democratic delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 41.

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What they’re saying

“Immigrant rights are all of our rights, so it's important that Marylanders know the bills that are being dropped this session and how it's going to impact their neighbors.”

— Danielle Tyler, Director of Strategic Communications, ACLU of Maryland

“Under normal circumstances, Fourth and Fifth amendments give people due process. It (the bill) says unless I have a judicial warrant, we're not participating with ICE in selecting people, picking people up or detaining people or holding people beyond their original times; that's really what it talks about.”

— N. Scott Phillips, Maryland State Delegate, District 10

“One of the provisions of the bill specifically creates the right to sue a federal agent under state law if they commit an act of racial profiling, and it also protects other officers (who) call out racial profiling.”

— Malcolm Ruff, Maryland State Delegate, District 41

What’s next

The Maryland legislature is expected to continue debating and voting on the proposed immigration-related bills in the coming weeks and months.

The takeaway

The rally and proposed legislation in Maryland reflect the ongoing national debate over the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. Supporters argue the bills are necessary to protect immigrants' rights, while opponents warn the legislation could lead to increased ICE activity and higher crime rates.