Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, testified before the Senate Judiciary Proceedings Committee in support of Senate Bill 245.
The legislation would prohibit state and local government agencies from entering into immigration enforcement agreements and require existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026. Lierman urged the committee to issue a favorable report on the bill during her testimony in Annapolis.
Lierman said immigrants account for nearly 17 percent of Maryland’s population and more than one fifth of the state’s labor force, working in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, science, and technology. She cited a 2024 report from the Comptroller’s Office that found immigrants contribute significantly to Maryland’s economy, including through tax payments and consumer spending. According to data referenced in her testimony, immigrants paid an estimated $15.8 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in Maryland in 2023 and had a combined spending power of $39.5 billion.
Lierman argued that policies tying local law enforcement agencies to immigration enforcement can create fear within communities that may affect workforce participation and economic activity. She said maintaining separation between local government services and immigration enforcement supports public trust, community safety, and economic stability as lawmakers consider budget decisions during the current legislative session.
