Gov. Wes Moore signs law banning Maryland partnerships with federal immigration authorities

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday signed two bills into law that ended partnerships between Maryland law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, marking a significant shift in the state's approach to immigration enforcement. The legislation, which was passed by the Maryland General Assembly earlier this year, prohibits state and local law enforcement from entering into agreements with ICE or sharing information with federal immigration authorities for civil immigration enforcement purposes. The bills, known as the Maryland Safe Communities Act, aim to protect undocumented immigrants in the state by preventing local police from acting as federal immigration enforcers. Moore, a Democrat who took office in January 2023, had previously indicated his support for such legislation during his campaign. The signing of these bills places Maryland among a growing number of states and jurisdictions that have limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Supporters of the legislation argue that it will encourage immigrant communities to report crimes without fear of deportation, thereby improving public safety. However, critics, including some law enforcement officials and Republican lawmakers, have raised concerns that the policy could hinder federal immigration enforcement efforts and potentially compromise public safety.