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Frederick Today
By the People, for the People
Maryland Bans Local Police from Cooperating with ICE
New law prohibits immigration enforcement agreements, highlighting growing Democratic resistance to Trump's crackdown
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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Maryland has passed a new law prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), marking the latest move by Democratic-led states to push back against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts. The law will immediately halt the practice in Frederick County, where officers have asked thousands of inmates about their citizenship and turned over nearly 1,900 people to ICE since 2008. Democratic Gov. Wes Moore signed the bill, which highlights how 10 states now have statewide policies banning such agreements with the federal government.
Why it matters
The new Maryland law is part of a broader trend of Democratic-led states resisting the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown. As the 287(g) program that allows local police to assist ICE has expanded under Trump, some states are enacting policies to limit cooperation and increase accountability for federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The details
Under the new Maryland law, the longtime cooperative agreement between Frederick County and ICE will be terminated. Sheriff Charles Jenkins, a Republican, says this will force him to release some inmates who may go on to commit more crimes. However, Democratic lawmakers like House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk say the law shows Maryland values civil rights and empathy for immigrants. Similar laws have been passed in other Democratic-led states like New Mexico and Maine, while Virginia's new Democratic governor has also moved to limit state-level cooperation with ICE.
- The new Maryland law was signed on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
- Frederick County has turned over 1,884 people to ICE since 2008.
The players
Wes Moore
The Democratic governor of Maryland who signed the new law prohibiting local police cooperation with ICE.
Charles Jenkins
The Republican sheriff of Frederick County, Maryland, who is disappointed with the new law and says it will put public safety at risk.
Joseline Peña-Melnyk
The Democratic speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, who says the new law shows Maryland values civil rights and empathy for immigrants.
What they’re saying
“We value empathy. We value peoples' contribution. We value the Constitution. We value and support and protect civil rights.”
— Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Maryland House Speaker (wbal.com)
“I'm extremely disappointed with the legislation, because really and truly, it's going to put the public at risk in a lot of ways.”
— Charles Jenkins, Frederick County Sheriff (wbal.com)
What’s next
The new Maryland law will immediately end the cooperative agreement between Frederick County and ICE, forcing the sheriff to release some inmates who may go on to commit more crimes, according to the Republican sheriff.
The takeaway
The new Maryland law banning local police cooperation with ICE is the latest example of Democratic-led states pushing back against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement efforts, raising concerns about public safety among some Republican sheriffs while highlighting the growing political divide over immigration policy.
