Frederick Passes City Values Act Limiting Immigration Enforcement

New ordinance aims to reassure immigrant residents they can access city services without fear.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:50am

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A photorealistic painting of a stately city hall building in warm, golden sunlight, with deep shadows casting across the facade, conveying a sense of civic pride and quiet determination.Frederick's City Values Act aims to reassure immigrant residents that their local government stands with them, even as federal immigration policies become more restrictive.Frederick Today

The city of Frederick, Maryland has approved an ordinance known as the City Values Act that limits how city employees and resources can be used in federal immigration enforcement. The goal is to reassure immigrant residents that they can safely access city services without fear of deportation or other consequences.

Why it matters

This legislation is part of a broader trend of cities and states passing laws to protect immigrant communities and limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It reflects ongoing tensions between local governments and the federal government over immigration policy.

The details

The City Values Act prohibits Frederick city employees from inquiring about a person's immigration status, sharing that information with federal immigration authorities, or using city resources to assist in immigration enforcement actions. The ordinance also directs the city to provide language access services and outreach to immigrant communities.

  • The Frederick City Council approved the City Values Act on April 3, 2026.

The players

City of Frederick

The local government of Frederick, Maryland that passed the City Values Act ordinance.

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What’s next

The City Values Act will go into effect immediately, and the city plans to conduct outreach to immigrant communities to inform them of their rights and the new protections.

The takeaway

The City Values Act reflects Frederick's commitment to supporting and protecting its immigrant residents, even as the federal government continues to take a hardline approach on immigration enforcement. This type of local legislation is becoming more common as cities seek to assert their values and limit the reach of federal immigration policies.