Maryland Democrats are attempting to sabotage President Trump’s immigration enforcement by blocking state police from hiring ICE agents, directly undermining federal deportation efforts that have already removed 119 criminal illegal immigrants from Maryland jails.
Democrats Target Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Success
A Maryland Democratic legislator has introduced legislation specifically designed to prevent state police from hiring ICE agents empowered under President Trump’s immigration crackdown. The bill directly targets the federal 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in screening and transferring criminal illegal immigrants. This represents a calculated attempt to undermine Trump’s January 20, 2025 executive order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which mandated maximum expansion of 287(g) partnerships nationwide.
Maryland Sheriffs Deliver Results Under Trump’s Leadership
Eight Maryland counties currently participate in the 287(g) program, including Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, St. Mary’s, and Washington, with Wicomico County pending approval. These partnerships have proven highly effective, with Maryland sheriffs transferring 119 criminal illegal immigrants to ICE custody by November 2025 alone. Frederick County led with 64 transfers, followed by Harford County with 45 and Cecil County with 10. This represents 5% of all Maryland ICE arrests, demonstrating the program’s efficiency in removing dangerous criminals from American communities.
Sheriffs Defend Public Safety Against Political Obstruction
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, whose department operates the longest-standing 287(g) agreement in the United States at 17 years, has strongly condemned the proposed Democratic legislation as “terrible and dangerous.” Jenkins emphasizes that the program makes his county safer by “turning criminals directly over to ICE” rather than releasing them back into the community. The sheriff argues that widespread adoption of 287(g) partnerships could have prevented the current immigration crisis, stating “Had everybody been doing this, we wouldn’t be here today.”
The 287(g) program, established in 1996, allows ICE to delegate immigration enforcement duties to trained local officers. Maryland counties utilize Jail Enforcement and Warrant Service models, focusing on screening detainees already in custody rather than conducting street-level operations. This targeted approach ensures that only individuals who have committed crimes and are already detained face immigration consequences.
Liberal Activists Push Dangerous Anti-Enforcement Agenda
Immigrant advocacy groups like CASA are lobbying against these common-sense partnerships, falsely claiming they erode community trust in law enforcement. CASA’s Cathryn Jackson argues that “No person is gonna call the police if that police officer is also an ICE agent,” despite the fact that 287(g) operations focus on criminals already in jail, not community policing. These groups characterize the program as a “shortcut to become an ICE agent” funded by taxpayers, ignoring the minimal costs and massive public safety benefits.
The proposed Democratic bill represents a broader pattern of blue state resistance to federal immigration law. If passed, the legislation could significantly weaken Maryland’s contribution to President Trump’s deportation goals and potentially inspire similar obstructionist measures in other Democrat-controlled states. This directly contradicts the will of American voters who elected Trump on a platform of strict immigration enforcement and border security.
Sources:
How ICE works with local police to deport and detain in Maryland
Maryland sheriffs ICE transfers 287g
Maryland bill ICE partnerships immigration enforcement 287g Frederick