Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement - Immigration Enforcement Agreements
HB0675 would require local law enforcement agencies in Maryland that operate correctional facilities to enter into an immigration enforcement agreement with the federal government by January 1, 2027. The agreement would be a memorandum of understanding authorized under federal law and would allow the local agency to enforce civil immigration law using the jail enforcement model. The bill also gives the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy responsibility for enforcing the new requirements.
The bill includes a one-time waiver process that would allow a local agency to delay compliance, but any agency granted a waiver would still have to enter into an agreement by July 1, 2027. Beginning July 1, 2027, agencies that have not complied would be required, upon request by federal immigration authorities, to detain an individual for up to 48 hours to facilitate transfer to federal authorities and to transfer the individual to federal immigration authorities. If an agency releases a person in violation of the bill and that person is later detained or arrested within five years, the releasing agency would be responsible for housing costs and court costs associated with the later criminal proceeding.
This bill would add a new section to the Public Safety Article requiring certain county and Baltimore City law enforcement agencies that operate correctional facilities to participate in federal immigration enforcement agreements. It would create a state enforcement role for the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and impose financial consequences on agencies that fail to comply with detention and transfer obligations. The measure would affect local police departments, bureaus, or forces operating jails, and it would expand the state’s statutory framework governing cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be introduced in a policy area that is typically politically divisive, but there is no direct evidence here of support or opposition from the hearing. The sponsors and bill title indicate a pro-enforcement approach to immigration policy, suggesting support from lawmakers favoring stronger local-federal cooperation on immigration enforcement. No committee vote or transcript is available to show broader legislative sentiment.
The main point of contention is likely whether local law enforcement agencies should be required to enter into federal immigration enforcement agreements at all, especially because the bill mandates participation for agencies operating correctional facilities and ties noncompliance to potential cost-shifting penalties. Opponents may object to the use of local jails for civil immigration enforcement, the 48-hour detention requirement, and the financial liability imposed on agencies that release individuals later re-encountered by law enforcement. Supporters are likely to argue that the bill improves coordination with federal immigration authorities and strengthens public safety by ensuring custody transfer procedures are followed.