The ICE Breaker Act of 2026 leaves delegates divided ahead of the upcoming legislative session

MARYLAND — A Maryland delegate is backing a bill that could make it harder for former ICE agents to continue working in law enforcement.

The proposed bill, called the Ice Breaker Act of 2026, aims to prohibit sworn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from serving in state law enforcement roles. WMDT spoke with state officials to gather their perspectives ahead of the legislative session.

Democratic Delegate Adrian Boafo said, “Any ICE agent who is a sworn officer and joined the force after January 20, 2025, the day of the President’s inauguration, would not be eligible to work with any Maryland state law enforcement agency at any point in the future.”

Boafo cited growing fear in local communities following ICE apprehensions and argued that community policing tactics already address safety concerns raised by the Department of Homeland Security.

“Governor (Wes) Moore’s done a fantastic job of community policing… We’re doing community policing the right way. We’re going after violent offenders. We’re community policing to make sure that the entire community is involved,” Boafo said. “It’s important to preserve the type of officers we want in this state.”

Boafo believes the bill will protect Marylanders, while Republican Delegate Wayne Hartman is pushing back on both the bill and the reasoning behind it.

“I’ve heard that this bill is being considered. Do I think it will pass? I certainly hope not and if it does, I think it would likely be found unconstitutional,” Hartman said.

He expressed concern that the bill discriminates against ICE officers for their work under the current administration.

“They’re doing a job. They’re tracking down people who are in our country illegally. Whether or not you agree with it philosophically, they’re doing their job,” Hartman said.

Republican State Senator Johnny Mautz is concerned with the bill’s broad characterization of ICE officers.

“Just because they’re sworn ICE officers or these individuals have a mission and they have directives and they’re following those orders, I think that assumption to argue in favor of the bill is, is way off base,” Mautz said.

The bill does not have a specific date but is expected to be introduced during the first week of the legislative session, which begins at noon next Wednesday and will conclude on April 13.