Sheriffs Defy Governor’s Sanctuary Law

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Maryland sheriffs are boldly defying Democratic Governor Wes Moore’s new sanctuary law banning ICE partnerships, prioritizing public safety over state overreach in a win for law and order.

Story Highlights

Sheriffs in Frederick and Carroll Counties vow to continue ICE cooperation through informal policies, ignoring the ban on 287(g) agreements.
Nine Maryland jurisdictions must terminate formal ICE partnerships immediately after Moore signed HB0444/SB0245 into law on February 17-19, 2026.
Former Governor Larry Hogan predicts law enforcement will ignore the legislation, echoing sheriffs’ plans for court challenges.
The defiance counters Democratic efforts to shield illegal immigrants from civil detentions, protecting communities amid President Trump’s deportation surge.

Maryland Bans Local ICE Partnerships

Governor Wes Moore signed emergency bills HB0444 and SB0245 into law between February 17 and 19, 2026, banning Maryland jurisdictions from participating in ICE’s 287(g) program. This program, established under the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, deputizes local officers to identify and detain noncitizens in jails for up to 48 hours. Nine jurisdictions, including Frederick County since 2008, operated these agreements. The law took effect immediately, forcing termination of all formal partnerships.

Sheriffs Reject State Mandate

Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, who led one of Maryland’s longest-standing 287(g) programs, announced plans to challenge the law in court, calling it unconstitutional. Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees stated he will maintain ICE communication through internal policies unregulated by the ban. These elected sheriffs prioritize public safety and deportation of criminal noncitizens over Democratic restrictions. Former Governor Larry Hogan declared on February 19 that law enforcement will ignore the legislation.

Defiance Protects Communities

The new law permits federal collaboration on violent criminals but ends civil immigration enforcement by local officers. Sheriffs argue this creates roadblocks, forcing chaotic standalone ICE operations like those in Minneapolis. Rural counties face heightened risks from released noncitizens, straining law enforcement amid manpower shortages. This local resistance upholds federal authority under President Trump’s homeland security push, including mass deportations and border security victories.

Democratic leaders like Moore emphasize constitutional policing and immigrant protections to avoid racial profiling. They pledge coordination on public safety threats but block deputization of local officers for ICE tasks. Senate President Bill Ferguson and others frame the ban as building community trust in diverse areas.

Broader Implications for Immigration Enforcement

Short-term, informal policies in at least six jurisdictions persist, potentially sparking lawsuits from sheriffs like Jenkins. Long-term, the ban sets a precedent for blue states limiting 287(g), pressuring ICE toward direct enforcement. This highlights tensions between state overreach and local autonomy, especially as Trump’s administration ramps up removals of criminal aliens. Maryland’s partisan divide deepens, with Republicans decrying risks to safety.

Maryland Law Enforcement Won’t Comply With the State’s Ridiculous Rules For ICE, and That’s a Good Thing PLEASE FOLLOW https://t.co/aYsHz4cuTd #conservativenews #feedly

— Jimbo Trump (he/she/bullshit) (@jimbotrump) February 27, 2026

As of February 27, 2026, no court filings have emerged, but sheriffs continue signaling opposition. The law allows unregulated local workarounds, preserving some cooperation on criminal matters. This defiance aligns with conservative values of limited government and secure borders, countering sanctuary policies that endanger Americans.