Story perspectives

Maryland Bans Local ICE Cooperation Amid Immigration Debate

2/5/2026

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Center

Lawmakers Restrict ICE

Maryland lawmakers voted to ban local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under 287(g).
The move follows a national debate over aggressive immigration enforcement after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot in Minneapolis.
In Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, a proposed ordinance would block local agencies from assisting with immigration enforcement.
New Mexico has passed legislation to prohibit ICE detention centers, signaling a shift away from detention for economic development.

Right

Lawmakers Limit ICE

New Jersey lawmakers seek to ban Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks during enforcement to bolster accountability and trust after Minneapolis shootings.
Governor Mikie Sherrill backs ICE restrictions, including a ban on operations in sensitive locations.
The Harvard poll finds disapproval of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration tactics, and a majority supports cooperation with federal authorities.
Sixty-two percent believe federal agents violated civil liberties.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished national origin quotas that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation increased immigration from Latin America and Asia, reshaping U.S. demographics and sparking ongoing debates about immigration enforcement and local governance, as seen in recent actions in Maryland and New Jersey.

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Lawmakers Restrict ICE

Maryland lawmakers voted to ban local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under 287(g).
The move follows a national debate over aggressive immigration enforcement after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot in Minneapolis.
In Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, a proposed ordinance would block local agencies from assisting with immigration enforcement.
New Mexico has passed legislation to prohibit ICE detention centers, signaling a shift away from detention for economic development.

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