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Frederick Today
By the People, for the People
Maryland Bans Sheriffs from Cooperating with Federal Immigration Crackdown
New state law prohibits local law enforcement from partnering with ICE, sparking backlash from Republican sheriffs
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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Maryland has passed a new law that prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, forcing sheriffs in several counties to immediately halt their participation in a program that allowed them to interrogate and detain people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. The move highlights the growing resistance from Democratic-led states against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement efforts.
Why it matters
The new Maryland law is part of a broader trend of Democratic-led states pushing back against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. At least 10 states now have policies prohibiting law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), limiting a key program the Trump administration has used to ramp up deportations. This reflects growing public discomfort with the president's hardline immigration tactics, especially in more liberal-leaning areas.
The details
Under the new Maryland law, the Frederick County jail will no longer be able to ask inmates about their citizenship or birthplace, nor turn over those suspected of being undocumented to ICE. The longtime Republican sheriff in Frederick County says this will "put the public at risk" by forcing him to release some inmates who may go on to commit more crimes. However, supporters of the law say it shows Maryland values civil rights and empathy for immigrant communities.
- The new Maryland law was signed by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday, February 14, 2026.
- Similar laws banning cooperation with ICE have been enacted in New Mexico and Maine in recent months.
The players
Wes Moore
The Democratic governor of Maryland who signed the new law prohibiting local law enforcement from partnering with federal immigration authorities.
Charles Jenkins
The longtime Republican sheriff of Frederick County, Maryland, who is disappointed with the new law and says it will "put the public at risk."
Joseline Peña-Melnyk
The Maryland House Speaker who immigrated from the Dominican Republic as a child and says the new law shows Maryland "values civil rights" and "peoples' contribution."
Donald Trump
The former U.S. president who revived and expanded the 287(g) program that allows local law enforcement to assist with federal immigration enforcement.
Department of Homeland Security
The federal agency that said the new Maryland law "will make Maryland less safe" and increase its workload in the state.
What’s next
The Virginia Senate has also passed a bill that would place restrictions on any proposed 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The bill still needs to be approved by the Virginia House.
The takeaway
The new Maryland law is the latest example of Democratic-led states pushing back against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. This growing public and political backlash could force the federal government to reconsider its reliance on local law enforcement to carry out its deportation agenda.
