Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement - Prohibition Against Sanctuary Policies
HB 719 would prohibit the State, counties, local governments, county sheriffs, and their officers, employees, and agents from adopting or maintaining any “sanctuary policy.” The bill defines that term broadly to include policies that limit communication or cooperation with federal immigration authorities, restrict compliance with immigration detainers, prevent notice to federal immigration officials before release of an incarcerated person, block access for immigration interviews, or otherwise impede participation in federal immigration enforcement programs authorized by law. It also expressly allows compliance with valid judicial warrants and participation in federal immigration enforcement operations authorized by state and federal law.
The bill repeals several existing Maryland provisions that currently restrict certain immigration-related inquiries, access to records, and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and replaces them with a new subtitle in the Public Safety Article focused on immigration enforcement. It would also remove prior limits on law enforcement questioning about immigration status during stops, searches, or arrests, and repeal restrictions on access to certain records, photographs, and database information for federal immigration enforcement purposes. The bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.
HB 719 would significantly alter Maryland law by eliminating existing statutory protections and restrictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It repeals provisions in the Criminal Procedure, General Provisions, and Public Safety Articles and replaces them with a new immigration enforcement subtitle that bars sanctuary policies statewide and locally. As drafted, it would affect state and local agencies, county sheriffs, correctional facilities, and law enforcement personnel by requiring greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities and reducing legal barriers to information sharing, detainers, and related enforcement activities.
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be introduced as a pro-enforcement immigration bill and has not yet been accompanied by recorded votes or committee testimony in the provided materials. The sponsor list and caption suggest support from delegates favoring stronger cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Because the bill was only at the hearing stage, there is no documented committee outcome here, but the subject matter indicates it is likely to draw strong views on both sides of the immigration enforcement debate.
The main point of contention is whether state and local governments should be allowed to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Supporters are likely to argue that sanctuary policies interfere with immigration enforcement and public safety, while opponents are likely to argue that such policies protect immigrant communities, preserve local discretion, and prevent local resources from being used for federal civil immigration enforcement. Additional controversy may arise over the bill’s repeal of restrictions on immigration questioning, detainer cooperation, database access, and sharing personal information or photographs with federal agencies.