Latest news with #MarylandDataPrivacyAct
CBS News
08-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Maryland won't prohibit local law enforcement from partnering with ICE
Maryland lawmakers failed to agree on a measure that would prohibit law enforcement from partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before the end of the legislative session Monday. In March, state lawmakers proposed the Maryland Values Act, a bill to prevent 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement agencies and ICE. The proposal comes amid a crackdown on illegal immigration by the Trump administration. Those federal immigration changes had a significant impact on Maryland. While the initially proposed bill included the prohibition of 287(g) partnerships, the version of the bill passed Monday does not make any changes to 287(g) policies 287(g) agreements , named after Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deputize selected state and local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration law. Deputized officers are trained to interview individuals to determine their immigration status, access, and input data into DHS databases, issue immigration detainers to hold individuals until ICE takes custody, serve administrative warrants for removable individuals and issue Notices to Appear (NTAs), initiate removal proceedings. Maryland's federal immigration crackdown prompted concerns about the safety of immigrants in Maryland. That concern began following President Trump's recent revocation of policies that previously prohibited immigration enforcement at schools, places of worship, and other sensitive locations. In response, Maryland lawmakers proposed protective legislation , including the Maryland Values Act, Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, and the Maryland Data Privacy Act, which aimed to restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and limit access to certain information. The proposed legislation came amid protests against reported conditions in ICE detention facilities and arguments from immigration advocacy organizations like CASA , who said the Trump administration's policies created fear within Maryland's immigrant communities. Maryland, joined 11 other states in a lawsuit challenging Mr. Trump's order, alleging that the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws.
CBS News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Some Maryland sheriffs oppose bill that would end local partnerships with ICE
Members of the law enforcement community in Maryland joined the Maryland Sheriffs' Association Thursday afternoon, rallying against a proposed bill that would limit state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Most notably, the Maryland Values Act , one of three bills in immigrant rights group CASA's legislative package, would prohibit new 287(g) agreements between local agencies and federal immigration authorities. According to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson, three counties in Maryland have an agreement with immigration agencies -- Harford, Frederick, and Cecil counties. Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins called the bill a "terrible and dangerous piece of legislation." Jenkins said it will encourage criminals who have illegally entered the United States to establish themselves in Maryland. Jenkins said Frederick County has the oldest 287(g) program in the history of the United States. "Since 2008, we've removed 1,795 criminals - many of them dangerous felons. We've removed them because of our partnership with ICE and the 287 (g) program," Jenkins said. Opponents of the Maryland Value Act say the measure would release dangerous criminals back into the community, since it would require existing 287(g) agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2025. "I don't think there's anyone who would argue that making sure criminals do not get released back into the community is not a public safety issue," said Matt Elliston, Maryland's ICE deputy assistant director. Elliston said "sanctuary" communities, or jurisdictions that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal law enforcement in immigration cases, are dangerous. Officials in sanctuary jurisdictions such as San Francisco have defended the protections for immigrants, saying that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes. Some supporters of sanctuary laws have also said that threatening undocumented immigrants with deportation erodes the trust between the community and law enforcement. Deputy Jenkins said it's an argument he said he disagrees with and hears "all the time". "The distrust of law enforcement comes with the people from the countries they're coming from," Jenkins said. "They can't trust law enforcement in the countries where they were born and raised. The real fear is not law enforcement, the real fear in these communities are the criminals that are in these communities." The Maryland Values Act has already passed the House. The other two bills, a part of CASA's legislative package -- the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act and the Maryland Data Privacy Act -- have each passed the Senate. The 287(g) program, named after Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deputize selected state and local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration law. According to the ICE website , the 287(g) program operates in three models. The Jail Enforcement Model (JEM) allows local officers to identify and process removable aliens with criminal charges, while the Warrant Service Officer (WSO) program permits officers to serve administrative warrants on aliens in their jails. The Task Force Model (TFM) serves as a "force multiplier for law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their routine police duties," the ICE website reads. Since entering office, President Trump has prioritized a crackdown on illegal immigration. On January 20, Mr. Trump issued an executive order, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" requiring ICE "to authorize State and local law enforcement officials, as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines are qualified and appropriate, under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to the maximum extent permitted by law." In a memo issued a day later, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed prosecutors and law enforcement to consider charging state and local officials who attempt to impede Mr. Trump's immigration efforts. Maryland, along with 11 other states, joined a lawsuit challenging Mr. Trump's order, alleging that the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws. Immigrant rights advocates and other supporters of the bill say 287(g) agreements extend ICE's reach, target those with low-level offenses, and heighten the risk of racial profiling. "No person is gonna call the police if that police officer is also an ICE agent. What we wanna do is make sure that people feel confident calling 911, making sure they're reaching out if they're victims of crime," said Cathryn Jackson, CASA's public policy director. "Also, just collaborating with police as a whole." Officials denied that 287(g) programs are discriminatory or targeting low-level criminal offenses. Elliston shared that in the last five years in Prince George's and Howard counties, 600 immigration detainer holds were lodged. Of those, 50 were for homicide, and 15 were for traffic-related offenses. Mr. Trump's immigration crackdown has had a significant impact on Marylanders. Members of immigrant communities expressed fear of mass deportations after the president revoked a policy that prohibited immigration arrests near schools, places of worship, and other sensitive locations. Maryland lawmakers and immigration advocates have shown support for several proposed bills to protect immigrants, including the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act and the Maryland Data Privacy Act, which aim to limit ICE's access to certain locations and information. Immigration advocacy groups like CASA have been pushing for legislation to protect immigrant communities and protesting against what they claim are inhumane conditions in ICE detention facilities.
CBS News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Some Maryland deputies oppose bill that would end local partnerships with ICE
Members of the law enforcement community in Maryland joined the Maryland Sheriffs' Association Thursday afternoon, rallying against a proposed bill that would limit state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Most notably, the Maryland Values Act , one of three bills in immigrant rights group CASA's legislative package, would prohibit new 287(g) agreements between local agencies and federal immigration authorities. According to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson, three counties in Maryland have an agreement with immigration agencies -- Harford, Frederick, and Cecil counties. Frederick County Sheriff's Deputy Chuck Jenkins called the bill a "terrible and dangerous piece of legislation." Jenkins said it will encourage criminals who have illegally entered the United States to establish themselves in Maryland. Jenkins said Frederick County has the oldest 287(g) program in the history of the United States. "Since 2008, we've removed 1,795 criminals - many of them dangerous felons. We've removed them because of our partnership with ICE and the 287g program," Jenkins said. Opponents of the Maryland Value Act say the measure would release dangerous criminals back into the community, since it would require existing 287(g) agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2025. "I don't think there's anyone who would argue that making sure criminals do not get released back into the community is not a public safety issue," said Matt Elliston, Maryland's ICE deputy assistant director. Elliston said "sanctuary" communities, or jurisdictions that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal law enforcement in immigration cases, are dangerous. Officials in sanctuary jurisdictions such as San Francisco have defended the protections for immigrants, saying that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes. Some supporters of sanctuary laws have also said that threatening undocumented immigrants with deportation erodes the trust between the community and law enforcement. Deputy Jenkins said it's an argument he said he disagrees with and hears "all the time". "The distrust of law enforcement comes with the people from the countries they're coming from," Jenkins said. "They can't trust law enforcement in the countries where they were born and raised. The real fear is not law enforcement, the real fear in these communities are the criminals that are in these communities." The Maryland Values Act has already passed the House. The other two bills, a part of CASA's legislative package -- the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act and the Maryland Data Privacy Act -- have each passed the Senate. The 287(g) program, named after Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deputize selected state and local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration law. According to the ICE website , the 287(g) program operates in three models. The Jail Enforcement Model (JEM) allows local officers to identify and process removable aliens with criminal charges, while the Warrant Service Officer (WSO) program permits officers to serve administrative warrants on aliens in their jails. The Task Force Model (TFM) serves as a "force multiplier for law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their routine police duties," the ICE website reads. Since entering office, President Trump has prioritized a crackdown on illegal immigration. On January 20, Mr. Trump issued an executive order, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" requiring ICE "to authorize State and local law enforcement officials, as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines are qualified and appropriate, under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to the maximum extent permitted by law." In a memo issued a day later, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed prosecutors and law enforcement to consider charging state and local officials who attempt to impede Mr. Trump's immigration efforts. Maryland, along with 11 other states, joined a lawsuit challenging Mr. Trump's order, alleging that the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws. Immigrant rights advocates and other supporters of the bill say 287(g) agreements extend ICE's reach, target those with low-level offenses, and heighten the risk of racial profiling. "No person is gonna call the police if that police officer is also an ICE agent. What we wanna do is make sure that people feel confident calling 911, making sure they're reaching out if they're victims of crime," said Cathryn Jackson, CASA's public policy director. "Also, just collaborating with police as a whole." Officials denied that 287(g) programs are discriminatory or targeting low-level criminal offenses. Elliston shared that in the last five years in Prince George's and Howard counties, 600 immigration detainer holds were lodged. Of those, 50 were for homicide, and 15 were for traffic-related offenses. Mr. Trump's immigration crackdown has had a significant impact on Marylanders. Members of immigrant communities expressed fear of mass deportations after the president revoked a policy that prohibited immigration arrests near schools, places of worship, and other sensitive locations. Maryland lawmakers and immigration advocates have shown support for several proposed bills to protect immigrants, including the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act and the Maryland Data Privacy Act, which aim to limit ICE's access to certain locations and information. Immigration advocacy groups like CASA have been pushing for legislation to protect immigrant communities and protesting against what they claim are inhumane conditions in ICE detention facilities.
CBS News
14-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Community activists to protest ICE outside Baltimore City federal building
Community activists are set to protest immigration and customs enforcement outside the George H. Fallon Federal Building in Baltimore City on Friday afternoon. In a social media post, the Free State Coalition said it would hold a peaceful protest "against the unlawful and inhumane detainment of immigrants in Baltimore City." The protest comes amid local frustrations with the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration enforcement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Free State Coalition (@freestatecoalition) Maryland communities pushback against ICE crackdown Immigrant communities in Maryland have reported being fearful amid President Donald Trump's push for mass deportations. This week, the Baltimore County Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution to increase protections for immigrant students. The measure states that immigrant students have the right to access Baltimore County Public School (BCPS) programming in school and throughout the district. Amid the immigration crackdown, some students have been fearful of attending school, preventing them from accessing education programs and services. The resolution comes after a teacher at Overlea High School was placed on administrative leave for allegedly posting on social media that he would expose his students who attended an immigration justice rally. In February, the immigration advocacy organization CASA expressed its support for proposed legislation that would protect immigrant communities in Maryland. The proposed Maryland Data Privacy Act is a bill aimed at protecting immigrants' personal information from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The bill, if passed, would prohibit ICE agents from accessing Marylanders' personal data held in state databases without a warrant issued by a state or federal judge. Another proposed bill, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, would require the Maryland Attorney General to develop guidelines for immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, healthcare facilities, and places of worship. A third bill, the Maryland Values Act - which has yet to be filed, aims to add state collaboration with ICE. State leaders challenge federal immigration crackdown In January, Maryland joined 11 other states in a legal challenge to President Trump's immigration initiatives, following warnings from the Department of Justice that non-compliant state officials could face investigation. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued guidelines to county and state law enforcement agencies clarifying that officers cannot inquire about immigration status during routine police work. The guidelines also prohibit sharing immigration information with federal authorities without a warrant and ban contracts with private immigration detention facilities.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Amid immigration crackdown, bill would protect info in state databases from federal review
Members of CASA, a Latino and immigration advocacy organization, rally outside of the Maryland State House in this undated photo. (Photo by Giuseppe LoPiccolo/Capital News Service) By Emma Tufo Some Maryland lawmakers are seeking to protect residents' data from law enforcement review amid heightened immigration enforcement by President Donald Trump's administration. The proposed Maryland Data Privacy Act would prohibit police and other local officials from sharing personal information, granting access to databases, or allowing entry into facilities for federal immigration enforcement—unless a valid warrant from a state or federal court is provided. 'This is a privacy bill to ensure the federal government cannot go through a fishing expedition in our state databases,' said Sen. Clarence Lam, a Democrat representing Howard and Anne Arundel Counties. 'This legislation really is about promoting transparency and promoting privacy. Marylanders have a right to know who's attempting to access their data.' The bill builds on the 2021 Driver Privacy Act, which limited the sharing of driver's license information with federal immigration enforcement agencies. It would expand those protections across all state agencies, creating uniformity in how state agencies handle requests. Democratic AGs win preliminary injunction against DOGE access to Treasury payment systems The legislation comes amid a crackdown on illegal immigration by the Trump administration. An executive order in January deployed 1,500 troops to the southern border, in addition to the 2,500 already deployed there. The administration also removed restrictions on where Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials can operate, reversing a policy that prohibited ICE arrests at schools, places of worship and other protected sites. The increased enforcement has sparked fear among immigrant communities, leading to concerns about how state data-sharing practices could impact their safety and willingness to engage with state resources. 'Many Marylanders are fearful and anxious and scared,' Lam said. 'The immigrant community feels like they are under assault and this bill is important to them.' State Comptroller Brooke Lierman emphasized the importance of ensuring immigrants feel safe accessing state resources, noting that they are over 21% of Maryland's workforce and contribute significantly to the state's economy. 'We want to encourage compliance with our tax laws, and one way that we can keep doing that is to let our immigrant community members know that their data is safe with us, that unless somebody comes with a warrant issued by a court, we will hold their data safe,' Lierman said. But others raised concerns about public safety and potential federal repercussions. Daniel Galbraith, warden of the Harford County Detention Center, argued that the bill could compromise law enforcement efforts. Harford County deputies currently share information with ICE after individuals are arrested for crimes, allowing ICE to conduct investigations in a secure environment. 'If enacted, this legislation will remove our ability to participate in this key public safety program,' Galbraith said. Quakers, other religious groups ask federal court to block ICE raids at places of worship Daniel Franklin, chief of police of Morningside Police Department, warned that the bill could strain Maryland's relationship with the federal government. 'The passage of this bill may have some extremely negative results for state and local cooperation with federal agencies across the board, as well as any federal funding that we may receive as the state of Maryland,' Franklin said. But George Escobar, chief of programs and services of immigrant advocacy group CASA, said the bill isn't meant to hinder law enforcement, but uphold constitutional integrity. 'Every day we learn of new data breaches authorized by rogue actors friendly to the administration in their unlawful obsession to unscrupulously hunt and demonize immigrants,' Escobar said. 'It is incumbent upon this body to ensure access to data, information collected from all residents be protected and shared in accordance with the law.' Lam stressed that the bill is not about opposing federal immigration law but about safeguarding the privacy and trust of Maryland residents. By requiring federal agencies to obtain a warrant before accessing state databases, the legislation aims to protect personal information while maintaining public safety. 'It is critical to preserve the trust of our community and to protect them from aggressive federal action that threatens their livelihoods,' Lam said. If the bill passes, the Maryland attorney general would be in charge of enforcing these restrictions. Civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation could be imposed and state employees who violate these provisions could face disciplinary action, including termination.
