Story perspectives

States Split on Immigration: Enforcement vs. Sanctuary Zones

2/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

State lawmakers act on immigration enforcement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump policies.
Republican-led states expand police authority under 287(g) programs, collaborating with the White House.
Democratic-led states create Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-free zones and restrict cooperation with federal agents.
In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore (D-Md.) plans to ban local partnerships with ICE.
Congress negotiates funding for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid calls for ICE reforms.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished the National Origins Formula that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation significantly increased immigration from Asia and Latin America, reshaping the U.S. demographic landscape and prompting ongoing debates about immigration policy and local enforcement in contemporary America.

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Story summary

State lawmakers act on immigration enforcement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump policies.
Republican-led states expand police authority under 287(g) programs, collaborating with the White House.
Democratic-led states create Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-free zones and restrict cooperation with federal agents.
In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore (D-Md.) plans to ban local partnerships with ICE.
Congress negotiates funding for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid calls for ICE reforms.

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