BREAKING: Gov. Moore Signs Bill Prohibiting 287(g) Agreements; Wicomico to Exit

MARYLAND — Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill into law Tuesday that prohibits Maryland law enforcement agencies from entering 287(g) partnerships with. The bill, which awaited the governor’s signature for a little more than a week, is now the first measure signed into law this session.

The law also prohibits state and local jurisdictions from deputizing officers for federal civil immigration enforcement activity. The legislation, created under SB 245/HB 444, is effective immediately.

“In Maryland, we defend constitutional rights and constitutional policing — and we will not allow untrained, unqualified and unaccountable ICE agents to deputize our law enforcement officers,” Moore said. “This bill draws a clear line: We will continue to work with federal partners to hold violent offenders accountable, but we refuse to blur the lines between state and federal authority in ways that undermine trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Maryland is a community of immigrants, and that’s one of our greatest strengths because this country is incomplete without each and every one of us.”

Moore expressed concerns about what he described as the rapid growth in funding for ICE operations, citing that the agency was given $85 billion in the 2025 fiscal budget — a $75 billion increase from the year prior. “By funding, ICE is the 13th-largest military force in the world. ICE received more funding last year than our entire state budget, and we’ve seen the results of an unaccountable agency with seemingly unlimited resources,” Moore said.

“We will not allow untrained, unqualified and unaccountable agents to deputize our brave local law enforcement officers. Because Maryland is a community of immigrants. It is not our weakness. It’s our strength,” he said.

“As an immigrant, this bill is deeply personal to me,” Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller said. “Immigrants make Maryland stronger every day, and our communities are safer when everyone feels protected and valued. This legislation ensures that our law enforcement resources remain focused on keeping Marylanders safe, not on actions that create fear in our neighborhoods. I thank the bill sponsors and Governor Moore for their leadership in ensuring Maryland remains a place where dignity and opportunity go hand in hand.”

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano told WMDT that the County would be exiting their agreement following the signing of the legislation. Wicomico County had just recently entered a 287(g) partnership at the end of January.  This announcement follows a press conference held by Giordano and several county sheriffs on Feb. 9.

“This week we will be sending our letter withdrawing from our 287 agreements with the federal government, with the, per state law. I will tell you that the fight is not over,” Giordano said.

Wicomico County is the only county in Maryland that entered a 287(g) agreement after the bill was introduced during the 2026 legislative session.

“We will work with our federal partners, as I said, as best we can. Again, it looks a little bit different. But I will say we hadn’t even really gotten into what that agreement looked like — training was being scheduled. It hadn’t even happened yet. So, we’re just going to revert back to what we were doing before.”

She said this is not a win for Maryland and that the state will see more ICE officers as a result.

“The state has just removed the guardrails off ICE, and we will see more community enforcement, which is not what we wanted here. We tried to press this, and I think they really did not think this through. ICE is still going to be operating in the state of Maryland, and now they have every reason to be out on the streets here.”

Moore said: “We will continue to participate in joint task forces on criminal investigations. We want ICE focused on violent criminals and people who are doing harm to our society. As was promised by the Trump administration, we need and we want these people to be captured and held accountable.”

Giordano said officials are reviewing the legality of the bill as well as the supremacy clause to ensure it is constitutional.

In a statement obtained by WMDT, Giordano said: “While we will comply with state law, our compliance must not be mistaken for agreement, acceptance or support. We fundamentally oppose the state’s decision and believe it places political priorities ahead of the practical safety needs of Maryland communities.”

To watch the full signing ceremony, click here.

WMDT will continue to report on this story as details are made available.