Maryland lawmakers consider bill to roll back sanctuary policies in blue state
Lawmakers in Maryland, which is predominantly controlled by Democrats, are currently deliberating on a proposed bill that aims to reverse sanctuary policies and enhance collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under specific circumstances.
The legislation, known as Senate Bill 387 or the Protecting Marylanders From Violent Offenders Act of 2025, mandates local law enforcement and correction officers to hand over undocumented immigrants to ICE if they have been convicted of serious crimes such as violence, terrorism, involvement in criminal gangs, or aggravated felonies like drug or firearm trafficking.
Senator William Folden, a Republican and the bill’s sponsor, clarified that the measure is specifically targeted at the most dangerous offenders. He emphasized, “This isn’t about pitting communities against each other. It’s about safeguarding our communities from these repeat violent offenders that certain jurisdictions keep releasing back into society, which poses a threat to everyone.”
Critics of the bill argue that it jeopardizes constitutional rights. Presently, sanctuary policies in Howard and Prince George’s County prohibit local authorities from cooperating with ICE agents. Additionally, Maryland’s attorney general has issued guidance stating that immigration detainers are merely requests, and local officers are not obligated to comply with them, as doing so may infringe upon constitutional rights.
The proposed Maryland bill is currently undergoing review in the state Senate committee and is slated to come into effect on October 1, 2025, if approved.
President Donald Trump’s administration has been actively cracking down on illegal immigration, with ICE carrying out numerous arrests in sanctuary cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, and Washington, D.C. Despite resistance from some sanctuary city leaders, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, has asserted that ICE will persist in its enforcement efforts, emphasizing that criminal illegal immigrants will not find refuge from the law.
In conclusion, the contentious debate surrounding immigration policies continues to unfold in Maryland and across the nation, highlighting the ongoing struggle to strike a balance between public safety and protection of individual rights. The outcome of the proposed bill in Maryland will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the state’s immigrant population and law enforcement agencies.
