Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has released updated guidance for state and local law enforcement agencies outlining their responsibilities under the Maryland Community Trust Act and other recently enacted laws related to federal immigration enforcement.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the guidance is intended to help law enforcement agencies comply with both state and federal law while protecting constitutional rights. “Maryland has made clear through the Community Trust Act that our law enforcement agencies have one objective: keeping all Marylanders safe, including members of our immigrant communities,” Brown said in a statement.
Among the key provisions outlined in the guidance, local correctional facilities generally may not notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about the custody status or release of individuals who do not meet certain criminal conviction criteria unless a valid judicial warrant or court order exists. The guidance also states that law enforcement officers generally may not share information obtained during the course of their duties with federal immigration authorities, except in limited circumstances such as court orders or criminal investigations.
The guidance further notes that state and local government entities are prohibited from entering into 287(g) agreements or other arrangements that authorize the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws. The updated guidance has been distributed to law enforcement agencies across Maryland and is available publicly through the Attorney General’s Office.
