New laws force some sheriffs to stop helping Trump's immigration crackdown | AP News
In a significant shift in policy, Democratic Governor Wes Moore has signed a law prohibiting immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government, marking a clear stance against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. This move comes as a response to the Trump administration's controversial immigration enforcement efforts, which have faced increasing scrutiny and resistance from Democratic-led states.
The Frederick County jail in Maryland, for instance, has been a key player in Trump's immigration agenda. For 18 years, officers have asked inmates about their citizenship and birthplace, launching investigations into those not born in the U.S. Since 2008, 1,884 individuals have been turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, this practice is now halted due to the new law.
This law is part of a broader trend among Democratic-led states to push back against Trump's immigration policies. Ten states, all governed by Democrats, have enacted policies prohibiting law enforcement officers from cooperating in Trump's mass deportation program. New Mexico and Maine have already banned cooperative agreements with ICE, while New York and Virginia are considering similar legislation.
The resistance from Democrats has intensified as the Trump administration faces criticism for its large-scale immigration enforcement efforts and the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota. Governor Moore emphasized the need for accountability in the ICE operation, stating that it currently lacks proper measures.
The 287(g) program, which allows local law officers to interrogate and detain suspected illegal immigrants, has seen a tenfold increase under Trump. This program, named after a section of the 1996 law, was expanded to include local task forces with street arrest powers, a model discontinued by former President Barack Obama due to racial profiling concerns.
The growth of ICE agreements has coincided with a surge in federal immigration enforcement funding. Trump's tax-cut law allocated $150 billion for immigration enforcement, including funds for hiring ICE agents and expanding detention centers.
Some argue that less cooperation with ICE could lead to more agents being deployed. Republican Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler of Harford County, who has turned over 430 inmates to ICE, believes that the program was effective in identifying illegal immigrants. However, the Department of Homeland Security warns that the new law will make Maryland less safe and increase the workload for its officers.
Public opinion also reflects a growing pushback against Trump's immigration enforcement. A poll indicates that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults believe Trump has gone too far in sending federal immigration agents into cities. This sentiment is particularly strong in Democratic-leaning states, creating political pressure to enact such laws.
In response to the Trump administration's actions, states like Virginia and New Mexico have taken legislative steps to limit cooperation with ICE. Virginia's Senate passed a bill to restrict 287(g) agreements, while New Mexico's measure prohibits contracts for ICE detention facilities and agreements allowing local law officers to perform federal immigration functions.
Despite the controversy, some sheriffs argue that ending cooperation with ICE will lead to more immigrant enforcement, not less. However, the broader resistance from Democratic states and the public suggests a shift in political sentiment, challenging the Trump administration's immigration agenda.
