Maryland’s leftist state legislators have continued their attacks on ICE this week, attempting to pass even more bills aimed at interfering with law enforcement that violate federal law. The Maryland State Freedom Caucus is fighting back as Annapolis trades public safety for harboring drug syndicates, stalking, obstructing and even doxxing ICE agents.
Last week, Governor Wes Moore signed HB444/SB245, banning cooperation with ICE under the federal 287(g) program, the federal partnership that allows local jails to check immigration status and coordinate with ICE for transfer when criminal illegal aliens are already in custody. Several Maryland sheriffs in nine counties signaled they will continue to participate in the 287(g) federal partnership, even before the ink was dry on the governor’s signature.
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, whose jurisdiction hosted the longest-running 287(g) partnership in the country, has even vowed to explore legal challenges to the state’s ban while maintaining communication with ICE, underscoring the disconnect between the legislature’s political theater and frontline public safety priorities.
The sheriffs’ commonsense actions have apparently triggered more of the multitude of leftist Maryland Delegates into full TDS meltdown. One legislator in particular, Majority Leader David Moon, is putting this gem on the floor for a vote as early as today. HB351 would authorize warrantless collection of digital data on federal agents. The only predicate required is an accusation from protesters. Maryland State Police could track ICE license plate records, cell phone data, and other digital information without a warrant. It only takes a leftist judge in Maryland to issue a warrant for its release to the public.
Under 18 U.S.C. §115 it is a felony to intimidate or retaliate against a federal officer for performing official duties. Releasing personal or sensitive information with that intent can trigger prosecution under this statute, even without an explicit threat. Similarly, 18 U.S.C. §2261A (federal stalking) applies to patterns of online harassment or tracking that place an officer in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury.
Obstruction statutes such as 18 U.S.C. §1503, §1512, and §1519 apply if the disclosure is intended to interfere with an investigation, surveillance operation, arrest, or other official proceeding. Publishing sensitive operational details, including real-time locations, undercover identities, or tactical movements, can support charges for threats, retaliation, stalking, or obstruction.
The Maryland Freedom Caucus will force a vote on a floor amendment to halt the reckless assault on federal agents through obstructive warrantless surveillance. Del. Robin Grammer, who is offering the amendment, said, “This bill weaponizes the state executive branch against federal law enforcement. Our amendment would at least force them to get one of their judges to sign off on a clown car warrant.”
If that weren’t enough, Del. Melissa Wells’ HB1017 weaponizes zoning laws and banning the use of existing buildings as detention centers. Del. Vaughan Stewart’s HB1018 tries to regulate detention into oblivion, imposing hospital-level building standards on facilities meant to hold detainees to try to bury them in red tape.
Undermining ICE enforcement capacity and detention is not symbolic; it has real world consequences. When a state makes it harder to detain and remove criminal offenders, it weakens public safety and grows the networks of organized illegal activity in these sanctuary areas.
Maryland should take note of the cartel violence erupting in and around Puerto Vallarta after Mexican forces killed the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a major fentanyl trafficker into the United States. Creating sanctuary-style no-go zones that block federal enforcement and removal only invites foreign-backed organized crime to exploit the vacuum. This will not end well.
