Maryland Lawmakers Pass Community Trust Act

Legislation limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:44pm

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A realistic oil painting depicting a lone police car parked on a shadowy urban street, with warm sunlight and deep contrasting shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the complex relationship between local and federal law enforcement.The passage of the Community Trust Act in Maryland sets the stage for a legal battle over the state's efforts to limit cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.Montgomery Village Today

As the 2026 legislative session in Annapolis winds down, Maryland Democrats have passed the Community Trust Act, a key piece of legislation that will limit the ability of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operate in the state. The bill requires warrants signed by a judge before local police can assist federal immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

The Community Trust Act is part of a broader effort by Maryland Democrats to establish statewide policies around immigration enforcement, aiming to provide consistent due process protections across all 24 jurisdictions in the state. Republicans have argued that the state cannot prevent local police from communicating with federal agents, setting up a potential legal battle over the new law.

The details

The Community Trust Act requires that local law enforcement obtain a warrant signed by a judge before they can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. This is intended to curb what Democrats view as overly aggressive immigration enforcement tactics in the state. The bill establishes a uniform statewide policy, rather than allowing different approaches in different counties.

  • The 2026 legislative session in Annapolis is winding down.

The players

Will Smith

Chair of the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, who said the bill is about ensuring due process.

Maryland Democrats

The party that has pushed for the passage of the Community Trust Act.

Maryland Republicans

The party that has argued the state cannot prevent local police from communicating with federal immigration authorities.

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What they’re saying

“This bill that we are going to be putting forward is all based on due process.”

— Will Smith, Chair, Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee

What’s next

The passage of the Community Trust Act sets up a potential legal battle between Maryland and the federal government over immigration enforcement policies.

The takeaway

The Community Trust Act represents Maryland Democrats' efforts to establish statewide policies that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, aiming to provide consistent due process protections across the state.