Trump Recruits Local Officers for Immigration Enforcement, Some States Resist

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Over the past 18 years, officers at Maryland's Frederick County jail have asked thousands of inmates about their citizenship and birthplace. If the answer was anything other than the U.S., local officers deputized with special federal authority would launch an investigation into whether the person was in the country illegally. This is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to recruit thousands of local law enforcement officers across the country to aid in immigration enforcement, but some states are pushing back against the program.

Why it matters

The Trump administration's push to deputize local officers for immigration enforcement has raised concerns about civil liberties, racial profiling, and the appropriate role of local law enforcement. Critics argue the program undermines community trust in police and diverts resources away from local public safety priorities.

The details

Since 2008, Frederick County, Maryland has participated in a federal program that allows local officers to investigate inmates' immigration status. This is part of a broader Trump administration effort to recruit thousands of local law enforcement officers nationwide to assist with immigration enforcement. However, some states like California and Illinois have passed laws prohibiting local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

• The Frederick County, Maryland program has been in place since 2008.
• The Trump administration has been recruiting local officers for immigration enforcement over the past 18 years.