Maryland Republican sheriffs are rapidly expanding federal immigration enforcement partnerships that Democrats failed to stop, creating a direct pipeline from local jails to ICE deportation operations across over 1 million residents.
Story Snapshot
- Seven Maryland counties now partner with ICE through 287(g) agreements, up from three before February 2025, covering 1.1 million residents
- Maryland Democrats abandoned efforts to ban the program despite holding supermajorities, fearing Trump DOJ retaliation
- Republican sheriffs in conservative counties are deputized to perform federal immigration enforcement directly in local jails
- Trump administration pressures blue states with lawsuits while expanding local law enforcement partnerships nationwide
Republican Sheriffs Embrace Federal Immigration Authority
Seven Maryland counties now operate under 287(g) agreements with ICE, deputizing local sheriffs to perform federal immigration enforcement functions. Between February 28 and April 2025, four Republican sheriffs in Carroll, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties signed contracts, joining three existing partnerships in Cecil, Harford, and Frederick counties. These agreements authorize trained local deputies to screen inmates for immigration violations and process them for ICE detention. Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, a vocal Trump ally, describes illegal immigration as the “single biggest threat” facing communities and advocates aggressive deportation policies.
Democratic Supermajority Abandons Ban Amid Federal Pressure
Maryland Democrats killed legislation that would have banned 287(g) partnerships statewide despite controlling supermajorities in both chambers. House Bill 1222 initially sought to prohibit local participation in federal immigration enforcement programs, but Senate leaders stripped the ban provisions following Trump administration warnings about potential Justice Department lawsuits. The watered-down version merely requires notifications when immigrants are transferred to ICE custody. Gustavo Diaz of advocacy group CASA called the legislative failure a “dropped ball” during what he describes as ICE’s national “warpath.” Democratic legislators cited concerns about provoking federal retaliation similar to lawsuits Trump’s DOJ filed against California, Illinois, and New Jersey after those states enacted 287(g) bans.
Federal Strategy Expands Local Enforcement Networks
The Trump administration is systematically expanding 287(g) partnerships to deputize local law enforcement agencies for immigration enforcement, bypassing sanctuary policies in Democratic-controlled states. ICE offers these federal contracts to sheriffs who control jail operations, creating what Maryland Public Defender Stephanie Wolf describes as a “big scoop for easy ICE arrests.” The program originated in the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act and expanded significantly after September 11, 2001. Under Trump’s current term, the strategy targets blue states where conservative sheriffs in rural counties operate independently of state-level immigration protections. The Justice Department has defied Supreme Court rulings in immigration cases, including forcing the return of an individual in a Maryland case, demonstrating federal determination to override state resistance.
Constitutional Concerns Over State Authority
The 287(g) expansion raises fundamental questions about federalism and local control that should concern constitutional conservatives. While immigration enforcement falls under federal jurisdiction, the program effectively converts county sheriffs into federal agents without state legislative approval. Maryland’s situation illustrates how federal overreach can bypass state sovereignty when politically convenient. These sheriffs answer to federal ICE directives while operating local jails funded by state and county taxpayers. Research consistently shows immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans, yet the program treats entire populations as enforcement targets. The partnerships affect over 1.1 million Maryland residents, approximately 20 percent of the state’s population, concentrated in conservative counties that voted for Trump.
Political Implications for Border Security
Republican sheriffs frame 287(g) participation as essential public safety measures targeting criminal immigrants for deportation. The agreements align with President Trump’s campaign promises for mass deportations and border security enforcement. However, critics including the ACLU Maryland warn the program enables racial profiling and creates fear in mixed-status families. The partnerships turn routine jail bookings into immigration screening opportunities, catching individuals detained for minor offenses or even those released without charges. This aggressive approach reflects the administration’s determination to meet deportation quotas through local partnerships. While securing borders and removing dangerous criminals serves legitimate government functions, the program’s broad application risks undermining community trust in local law enforcement and converting sheriffs into federal immigration agents rather than community-focused officers.
Sources:
Maryland 287g Contracts With ICE Growing – Bolts Magazine
