Delaware & Maryland on List of Sanctuary Jurisdictions Defying Federal Immigration Law
UPDATE – 06/01/25 – NO LOCATIONS in Sussex, Worcester, Wicomico or Somerset Counties are on this list. Unfortunately the page with the list is no longer available on the US Department of Homeland Security website.
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ORIGINAL STORY 05/31/25 – An executive order signed by President Trump – “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens” requires a list of states and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws be published. This list was created to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens. Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. The list will be updated regularly.
Right now, Delaware is currently on the list as a State that self-identifies as a State Sanctuary Jurisdiction, New Castle County and the cities of Camden and Newark. Camden Police had entered into a 287(g) agreement on April 29th, which gave local officers the ability to partner with ICE and enforce federal immigration laws. However that agreement was rescinded a week later after public backlash led by the ACLU and NAACP.
Maryland also is on the list as a State that self-identifies as a State Sanctuary Jurisdiction. Several Counties are included – including Talbot, however Sheriff Joseph Gamble says he is unaware of how Talbot County received this designation, he says that the Sheriff’s Office is following federal immigration laws.
From Sheriff Joe Gamble:
“In response to the recent press release 1 issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security concerning Talbot County’s designation as a “sanctuary jurisdiction”, the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office is unaware of how Talbot County received this designation. While I cannot speak on behalf of the Talbot County Government and understand they have already released their own statement concerning this matter, let me assure the citizens of Talbot County that the Sheriff’s Office is following federal immigration laws. Just last year, a report from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which lists “non-cooperative” or “limited cooperation” jurisdictions concerning ICE cooperation, did not include Talbot County on this noncompliance list. I have reached out to the Maryland ICE Regional Director as well as the Deputy Assistant Director of Field Operations at ICE headquarters in Washington, D.C. and neither are aware why Talbot County is included in the noncompliance sanctuary jurisdiction list.”
“To the citizens of Talbot County, be assured that I am actively working on getting to the bottom of why Talbot County is now on the Homeland Security Sanctuary Jurisdiction list. The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office fully supports our federal, state and local law enforcement partners and will continue to do so. We have been advised that each jurisdiction will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with federal statutes. I will provide follow-up for full transparency once I have this information. In the meantime, the men and women of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office will continue to selflessly serve the citizens of Talbot County.”
Sheriff Joe Gamble
And from 1st District Congressman Andy Harris:
Congressman Harris Releases Statement in Response to Queen Anne’s County and Talbot County Being Listed As “Sanctuary Jurisdictions.”
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., released the following statement in response to the Department of Homeland Security listing Queen Anne’s County and Talbot County as “Sanctuary Jurisdictions.”
Statement From Congressman Harris:
“Although there are Maryland counties and municipalities that unfortunately consider themselves sanctuary jurisdictions (including Baltimore County in the First Congressional District), Queen Anne’s County and Talbot County are certainly not. Our office is actively urging the administration to rectify this designation, freeing up federal resources to appropriately deal with those jurisdictions who refuse to comply with federal immigration law.”