Lawmakers in Democrat-run Maryland are considering a bill to roll back sanctuary policies and increase cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in certain scenarios.
Maryland’s Senate Bill 387, or the Protecting Marylanders From Violent Offenders Act of 2025, would require local law enforcement and correction officers to turn over illegal immigrants to ICE if the individual was convicted of a violent crime, terrorism, participation in a criminal street gang, or an aggravated felony such as trafficking drugs or firearms.
Republican Sen. William Folden, the bill’s author, stated that the bill is aimed at addressing only the most violent offenders. He emphasized that the goal is to enhance community safety by preventing repeat violent offenders from being released back into the community.
However, critics of the bill argue that it poses a threat to constitutional rights. Sanctuary policies in Howard and Prince George's County currently prohibit local authorities from cooperating with ICE agents.
Maryland’s attorney general has issued guidance to local authorities on immigration detainers, emphasizing that detainers are requests only and local officers are not obligated to honor them, as doing so may risk violating constitutional rights.
The Maryland bill, currently under committee consideration in the state Senate, is set to take effect on Oct. 1, 2025, if enacted.
President Donald Trump's administration has been actively cracking down on illegal immigration, with ICE officials conducting criminal arrests in various left-leaning 'sanctuary' cities. Despite resistance from some sanctuary city leaders, Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, has affirmed that enforcement efforts will continue unabated.
Homan emphasized that criminal illegal immigrant gang members will not find a safe haven from the rule of law, reiterating the administration's commitment to locating, arresting, and removing them from the streets.
