Maryland sheriffs demand Gov Wes Moore restore law enforcement partnerships with ICE after ban

Sheriffs in Maryland are demanding that the state reinstate 287(g) agreements with ICE, coming after Governor Wes Moore signed a pair of emergency bills that prohibit such agreements between local authorities and federal immigration agents.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said on Wednesday, "The abolishment of the 287(g) program is not the abolishment of ICE. They're going nowhere. In fact, they're going to intensify their efforts," he said, adding, "Mark my words, you will see a dramatic increase in the presence of ICE in this state."

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said, "They're going to focus on these communities, and instead of doing it in a safe setting of the jail, they're going to do it in the communities — and that's something I don't want."

287(g) agreements had been in place in nine Maryland counties before the laws were signed by Moore, which now must end. The majority of the counties had Warrant Service Officer agreements in place, under which law enforcement officers are able to execute administrative warrants on illegal immigrants in jails. Ahead of the bill’s signing, sheriffs had urged Moore to veto them.

Lewis said, "It is the biggest betrayal to law enforcement and public safety that I have ever seen. This is a sad day for Maryland, it really is. This is a sad day for Maryland."

Sheriffs met in Annapolis behind closed doors on Wednesday with two federal immigration officials to plan next steps.

"Even if not formal, even if the (memoranda of understanding) are banned, we go forward with our federal partners in Immigration and Customs Enforcement doing the will of not just public safety, but also the will of the Maryland people," Gahler said.

"We warned them this was going to happen, and it's going to happen," Lewis said.