On a recent afternoon in Edgewood, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler joined sheriffs and officials from various Maryland counties to urge Governor Wes Moore to veto a proposed bill that would terminate local law enforcement’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This proposed legislation recently passed in both the Maryland House and Senate. If enacted, it would ban 287(g) agreements, which empower ICE to work alongside state and local authorities in enforcing immigration laws.
The legislation is currently in the process of being reviewed by the other legislative chamber. Because both versions of the bill are identical, each chamber is expected to approve the other’s proposal before forwarding it to the governor for approval.
Harford County is among eight counties in Maryland that currently engage in 287(g) agreements; the others include Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington.
Counties like Cecil, Frederick, and Harford utilize a “jail model,” which allows correctional officers to assess detainees’ immigration status and communicate with ICE. Other counties opt for a “warrant model,” collaborating with ICE only in situations with an active Department of Homeland Security warrant.
Gahler, a steadfast proponent of the 287(g) program, pointed out that his county’s involvement focuses on a corrections-based approach, where ICE operates within jails rather than in community spaces. He implored Governor Moore not to endorse what he described as a “dangerous piece of legislation.”
“This is about ensuring public safety,” Gahler stated during the event. “I joined this program to prevent criminals from being released back into the community, posing a threat to the residents I am sworn to protect.”
Supporters of the proposed ban on 287(g) agreements argue that it aims to foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant populations.
“Our laws are in place. We uphold due process,” declared Del. Gabriel Acevero, a Democrat from Montgomery County. “Public safety should not entail equipping local police with the responsibilities of immigration agents. In Maryland, we will not support the national trends we are witnessing.”
With the current agreements, counties can detain individuals for up to 48 hours to facilitate ICE custody. However, the new legislation would not entirely prevent law enforcement from alerting ICE, but would eliminate formal collaboration agreements and necessitate revisions to existing ones.
Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees expressed his intention to continue partnering with ICE, irrespective of the bill’s outcome. He indicated plans to implement a policy that mirrors the current framework within his office.
“ICE is not going away, and we need to maintain lines of communication with them,” DeWees remarked during the press conference. “What is happening in Annapolis is misleading to the public.”
Frederick Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, who boasts the distinction of having the longest-standing 287(g) agreement in the nation, mentioned pursuing legal avenues if the bill advances.
All three sheriffs—DeWees, Jenkins, and Gahler—are Republicans running for re-election this year.
Patty Morin, mother of Rachel Morin, who was tragically murdered on the Ma and Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air in 2023, voiced her support for maintaining these agreements. Morin highlighted that her daughter’s murderer, Victor Martinez-Hernandez from El Salvador, entered the U.S. illegally.
“I am deeply enraged that Governor Moore would consider such a decision without reflecting on the families affected by these tragedies,” Morin expressed. “I wouldn’t want any other family to endure this kind of pain and loss.”
Gahler also referenced the 2022 murder of Kayla Hamilton, who was killed by a 17-year-old from El Salvador, an illegal immigrant and a member of MS-13.
Having been part of the 287(g) program for nearly eight years, Gahler emphasized its importance to public safety.
Governor Moore indicated his readiness to sign the bill once it reaches his desk.
“We are committed to ensuring safety for everyone, but that does not entail granting local law enforcement the role of a rogue ICE agency,” Moore stated during remarks made in Howard County. “I look forward to signing this bill.”
Mennatalla Ibrahim and April Santana contributed to this report.
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