Governor Moore Signs ICE-Related Legislation Terminating Standing 287(g) Agreements–Effective Immediately

February 17, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

Governor Wes Moore has signed legislation to prohibit State and local jurisdictions from deputizing officers for federal civil immigration enforcement activity. The law, created under SB 245/HB 444, is effective immediately. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), established its 287(g) program to authorize local law enforcement officials to perform federal civil immigration enforcement functions under ICE’s oversight. Under SB 245/HB 444, State and local jurisdictions in Maryland are prohibited from engaging in such agreements. Any local jurisdictions with standing 287(g) agreements must terminate them immediately. State and local law enforcement will also maintain the ability to work with the federal government on criminal investigations and joint task forces unrelated to civil immigration enforcement. Any individual who is charged with a crime is entitled to due process and, if convicted, must serve their sentence.

Additional Information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore:

The legislation signed today does not:

  • Authorize the release of criminals;
  • Impact State policies and practices in response to immigration detainers that are issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
  • Prevent the State or local jurisdictions from continuing to work with the federal government on shared public safety priorities, including the removal of violent criminals who pose a risk to public safety; or
  • Prevent State or local jurisdictions from continuing to notify ICE about the impending release of an individual of interest from custody or from coordinating the safe transfer of custody within constitutional limits.

Statements from Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller 

“In Maryland, we defend Constitutional rights and Constitutional policing—and we will not allow untrained, unqualified, and unaccountable ICE agents to deputize our law enforcement officers,” said Gov. Moore. “This bill draws a clear line: we will continue to work with federal partners to hold violent offenders accountable, but we refuse to blur the lines between state and federal authority in ways that undermine the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Maryland is a community of immigrants, and that’s one of our greatest strengths because this country is incomplete without each and every one of us.”

“As an immigrant, this bill is deeply personal to me,” said Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. “Immigrants make Maryland stronger every day, and our communities are safer when everyone feels protected and valued. This legislation ensures that our law enforcement resources remain focused on keeping Marylanders safe, not on actions that create fear in our neighborhoods. I thank the bill sponsors and Governor Moore for their leadership in ensuring Maryland remains a place where dignity and opportunity go hand in hand.”

A copy of Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano’s letter to Homeland Security. 

Dear Mr. Liggins:
I am writing on behalf of Wicomico County to formally notify the Department of Homeland
Security of our intent to withdraw from participation in the 287(g) Warrant Service Officer
(WSO) model.
This withdrawal is compelled solely by newly enacted State of Maryland legislation signed into
law today that prohibits these agreements. It is not the result of any failure, deficiency, or concern
with the program itself. To the contrary, the program has functioned exactly as intended and has
directly supported our public safety mission. However, as a political subdivision of the State, we
are being forced to comply with state law regardless of the real-world consequences for our
community.
We do so under protest and with profound frustration. Wicomico County entered the 287(g)
program based on evidence, operational experience, and our fundamental duty to protect the
residents we serve. The implementation across the state has been lawful, measured, and limited
to individuals already within the correctional system. The program worked. The outcomes were
clear. The public safety benefit was real.
It is both astonishing and deeply disappointing that the Maryland General Assembly chose to
override local judgment, local data, and local accountability in favor of a sweeping statewide
mandate driven far more by political calculation than operational reality. This decision stripslocal
governments of a lawful, effective tool while those making the decision bear none of the
responsibility for the consequences. The impact will not be felt in Annapolis hearing rooms — it
will be felt in county detention centers, in law enforcement operations, and in the communities
now left with fewer practical tools to maintain public safety.

While we will comply with state law, our compliance must not be mistaken for agreement,
acceptance, or support. We fundamentally oppose the State’s decision and believe it places
political priorities ahead of the practical safety needs of Maryland communities.
Please provide guidance regarding the process and timeline required to formally conclude our
participation in the WSO model.
We remain sincerely appreciative of the professionalism, partnership, and cooperation
demonstrated by your personnel throughout our participation in this program. It is deeply
regrettable that a state-level policy decision — wholly disconnected from operational reality on
the ground — has forced the termination of what has been a productive and responsible public
safety partnership.
Respectfully,

WICOMICO COUNTY, MARYLAND

Julie M. Giordano

County Executive

Senate Republicans: Ending 287(G) Means Less Coordination, More Chaos in Immigration Enforcement
 
Despite objections from local sheriffs and public safety officials, Governor Wes Moore today signed legislation prohibiting Maryland counties from entering or continuing 287(g) agreements with federal immigration authorities. Senate Republican leadership released the following statement:
 
“Today’s action strips authority away from locally elected sheriffs and county leaders who know their communities best,” said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey. “For years, 287(g) agreements were voluntary tools used by counties to address serious public safety threats. Instead of respecting that local discretion, the Governor and the Democratic majority imposed a one-size-fits-all mandate from Annapolis. This is the state overriding local control to score political points — and Maryland communities will be left to deal with the consequences.”
 
Senator Justin Ready added, “A wiser approach would have been to see how cooperation efforts in other states, like Minnesota, play out before dismantling structured federal partnerships. Instead, the majority chose a short-term virtue signal over a common-sense public safety policy. Ending 287(g) doesn’t end federal enforcement — it just ends local coordination that included documentation, training support and funding from the federal government. That likely means more direct federal activity in Maryland without the benefit of local oversight or established relationships. Cooperation between local and federal law enforcement produces greater public safety for everyone.”

 

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