Maryland Sheriffs Threaten ‘Public Safety Chaos’ After New Law Bans ICE Partnerships

By Sam Barron | Monday, February 16, 2026 at 4:37 p.m. EST

Maryland sheriffs have vowed to continue working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite a new law that would ban official agreements between state law enforcement and the federal agency.

Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, is expected to sign the law banning 287(g) agreements after it passed Thursday by the Maryland General Assembly.

“No politician or legislative body is going to tell me I can’t communicate with another law enforcement agency on matters of public safety in my community,” Carroll County Sheriff James DeWees told The Baltimore Sun. “I’m not going to stop.”

Sheriffs in the Maryland jurisdictions that previously had 287(g) agreements said they would comply with the bill but plan to continue communicating and collaborating with ICE while considering legal challenges to the law.

“This is all political,” Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins said.

“You can put any lipstick you want on it; it’s all political,” Jenkins added. “The Democrats don’t want any cooperation with ICE. They don’t want any enforcement whatsoever.”

The counties that have agreements are Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Wicomico.

Cecil, Frederick, and Harford counties authorize corrections officers to screen detainees for immigration status and contact ICE if individuals are in the U.S. illegally.

The remaining jurisdictions with 287(g) agreements will only cooperate with ICE when there is an active Department of Homeland Security warrant.

Jenkins warned that the new law will lead to a surge in crime across Maryland.

“There will be protections here for them, so I think you’re going to see an influx of criminals, people with criminal intent, maybe even transnational criminal gangs,” Jenkins told The Baltimore Sun.

DeWees cautioned that Carroll County would face “public safety chaos” once the law takes effect.

“Like we’re seeing in Minneapolis,” DeWees said. “ICE is going to be up here searching for them in the community.”

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler told The Baltimore Sun that creating an enemy out of law enforcement is “insane.” He noted that a lack of communication between law enforcement partners preceded the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“And yet, we didn’t learn from it. We’re doubling down,” Gahler said. “It is completely insane that we would not coordinate for public safety purposes.”

Jenkins and Gahler stated their counties would continue to provide arrest sheets to ICE daily and maintain immigration detainers.

DeWees confirmed he would notify ICE when someone without legal permission to be in the U.S. is released from jail.

Sam Barron has nearly two decades of experience covering politics, crime, and business.