IMMIGRATION WATCH:
287(g) IN MARYLAND AND WASHINGTON COUNTY
287(g) BAN UPDATE – 2/7/26
With both Maryland chambers having passed their respective, identical bills, SB245 and HB444, legislation to ban 287(g) could be on Governor Moore’s desk this week!
SB245 – The House Judiciary Committee advanced SB245 on Feb.6, three days after it passed the Senate.
HB444- This identical bill, which passed the House on Feb.3, passed the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Feb 5.
Nine Maryland counties currently have 287(g) agreements with ICE, adding to the very real fear that is currently suffocating our immigrant communities. Banning them statewide is a first step to building trust and making communities safer.
SB245 – The House Judiciary Committee advanced SB245 on Feb.6, three days after it passed the Senate.
HB444- This identical bill, which passed the House on Feb.3, passed the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Feb 5.
Nine Maryland counties currently have 287(g) agreements with ICE, adding to the very real fear that is currently suffocating our immigrant communities. Banning them statewide is a first step to building trust and making communities safer.
Learn about 287(g)
287(g) in Washington County
Washington County Sheriff's Department Memorandum of Agreement with ICE
About 287(g) in Washington County
(from Bing search)
The 287(g) program in Washington County, MD, allows local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to enforce immigration laws. This program enables correctional officers to screen newly arrested individuals and alert ICE if they suspect someone is undocumented. The program aims to enhance public safety by facilitating the custodial transfer of individuals to ICE for removal purposes at the time of their scheduled release from criminal custody. Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert has confirmed that the program is expected to be operational by July 1, 2025, and the Sheriff's Office has trained deputies to participate in this initiative.
(from Bing search)
The 287(g) program in Washington County, MD, allows local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to enforce immigration laws. This program enables correctional officers to screen newly arrested individuals and alert ICE if they suspect someone is undocumented. The program aims to enhance public safety by facilitating the custodial transfer of individuals to ICE for removal purposes at the time of their scheduled release from criminal custody. Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert has confirmed that the program is expected to be operational by July 1, 2025, and the Sheriff's Office has trained deputies to participate in this initiative.
See the 10-page PDF of the Memorandum of Agreement:
| washingtoncountymd_wso_moa_031025.pdf |
Link to MOA - 287(g) MOA WSO - Washington County
As immigration arrests surge, advocates rue lawmakers’ failure to pass protections in 2025
Legislation to ban so-called 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements is ‘No. 1 priority’ for 2026 legislative session
By: William J. Ford - December 30, 2025, 6:31 am
George Escobar doesn’t like to use the phrase “told you so,” but after seeing a surge in immigration arrests that advocates had warned about when lawmakers failed to pass limits on local immigration enforcement, it’s hard to ...
Read the entire article here (Maryland Matters does NOT have a paywall) -
https://marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/as-immigration-arrests-surge-advocates-rue-lawmakers-failure-to-pass-protections-in-2025/
By: William J. Ford - December 30, 2025, 6:31 am
George Escobar doesn’t like to use the phrase “told you so,” but after seeing a surge in immigration arrests that advocates had warned about when lawmakers failed to pass limits on local immigration enforcement, it’s hard to ...
Read the entire article here (Maryland Matters does NOT have a paywall) -
https://marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/as-immigration-arrests-surge-advocates-rue-lawmakers-failure-to-pass-protections-in-2025/
Immigration partnership ban would make Maryland a target for ICE, Frederick County Sheriff says
By HALEY PARSLEY, RAPHAEL ROMERO RUIZ and ALINE BEHAR KADO
PUBLISHED: December 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM EST | UPDATED: December 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM EST
Sheriff Chuck Jenkins’ signature accomplishment in Frederick County is a controversial program that lets him collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take undocumented people into the agency’s custody.
But now state lawmakers are considering banning ...
PUBLISHED: December 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM EST | UPDATED: December 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM EST
Sheriff Chuck Jenkins’ signature accomplishment in Frederick County is a controversial program that lets him collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take undocumented people into the agency’s custody.
But now state lawmakers are considering banning ...
Read a PDF of the article here -
| jenkins_article.pdf |
Don't stand back and stand by. This is the time to stand up and speak out.
WASHINGTON COUNTY Indivisible / Washington County, Maryland