WICOMICO CO., Md. – Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis is voicing strong opposition to House Bill 1222, a piece of legislation aimed at ending Maryland’s participation in the 287(g) program, a federal partnership that allows local law enforcement to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The 287(g) program currently involves three counties in Maryland—Harford, Frederick, and Carroll—but Lewis believes the proposed bill would negatively impact local communities, including Wicomico. According to the sheriff, if the bill passes, local law enforcement would no longer be able to notify ICE promptly about individuals wanted by federal authorities.
The bill would also prevent any state or local agencies from entering into immigration enforcement agreements and require the termination of existing agreements by July 1, 2025. Lewis expressed concern that this could result in the release of dangerous offenders without notifying ICE, especially in cases where individuals involved in serious drug trafficking are not subject to deportation under Maryland’s crime threshold. Supporters of the bill argue it will help foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, allowing individuals to report crimes without fear of deportation.
