Maryland Bans Local Police from Partnering with ICE Under 287(g) Program

As the controversial immigration enforcement program rapidly expands nationwide, some states are pushing back against local law enforcement cooperating with federal authorities.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Maryland has enacted legislation prohibiting local law enforcement agencies from entering into 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), joining about a dozen other states that have restricted or banned such partnerships. The 287(g) program allows local police to carry out certain federal immigration enforcement functions after receiving federal training. While some sheriffs argue the agreements enhance public safety, others say they erode community trust in law enforcement and push immigrants into the shadows, making it harder to prevent and respond to local crime.

Why it matters

The expansion of the 287(g) program has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, with states and localities taking divergent approaches. Proponents see it as a valuable crime-fighting tool, while critics argue it blurs the line between local policing and federal immigration enforcement in ways that undermine public safety. The patchwork of state laws governing these agreements reflects the sharp political divisions over the role of local law enforcement in immigration matters.

The details

Maryland's new law gives sheriffs 90 days to formally end their 287(g) agreements with ICE, including in Frederick County where the sheriff has maintained one of the longest-running partnerships in the country. Some sheriffs, like those in Frederick and Cecil counties, argue the agreements have led to the removal of dangerous criminals and kept their communities safe. But other law enforcement leaders, like the sheriffs in Washtenaw and Genesee counties in Michigan, say the partnerships erode community trust and push immigrants into the shadows, making it harder to prevent and respond to local crime. Experts also raise concerns about potential training gaps and constitutional issues with the rapidly expanding federal immigration enforcement program.

  • Last month, Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore signed emergency legislation prohibiting 287(g) agreements.
  • As of March 2, 2026, ICE reported 1,493 active 287(g) agreements with local police agencies across 40 states.

The players

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland who signed legislation prohibiting 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and ICE.

Chuck Jenkins

The Republican sheriff of Frederick County, Maryland, who maintained one of the longest-running 287(g) agreements in the country.

Scott Adams

The Republican sheriff of Cecil County, Maryland, which also used the jail model under its contract with ICE.

Alyshia Dyer

The Democratic sheriff of Washtenaw County, Michigan, who declined to enter into a 287(g) agreement after taking office last year.

Chris Swanson

The Democratic sheriff of Genesee County, Michigan, who said the expansion of federal immigration efforts has placed local officers in an "impossible situation" and eroded public trust in law enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“That's rhetoric. That's political talk. It's not honest. The lawmakers of Maryland have lied to the public. They're wrong on this, and by passing this legislation, they've now placed more Marylanders at risk.”

— Chuck Jenkins, Sheriff, Frederick County, Maryland (Stateline)

“Any tool and resource that I have on the legal side of things to help make communities safer, I'm going to take advantage of.”

— Scott Adams, Sheriff, Cecil County, Maryland (Stateline)

“Not only does it erode the trust, the way that the leadership at the top is operating is really hurting not only local law enforcement officers, but other agencies in the federal government.”

— Alyshia Dyer, Sheriff, Washtenaw County, Michigan (Stateline)

“They're taking us backwards. It is eroding the public trust that local law enforcement, county, myself and state law enforcement, try to do every single day.”

— Chris Swanson, Sheriff, Genesee County, Michigan (Stateline)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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