Maryland Senate Bill 245 passes the third reading

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — An update on Senate Bill 245, which would prohibit local law enforcement from forming partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill, which has sparked intense debate, was discussed this week in both the Maryland House and Senate.

The bill has divided lawmakers in Annapolis, with sharp contrasts between Republicans and Democrats on the issue.

Republican Sen. Mary Beth Carozza said, “I rise in strong opposition to Senate Bill 245, legislation that prohibits immigration enforcement agreements. I rise in strong opposition so Maryland does not become Minneapolis.”

Tuesday marked the third reading of Senate Bill 245, when Maryland senators met to vote on the bill.

Democratic Sen. William Smith said, “The message we are sending to Marylanders is that we are no longer going to formally cooperate with an agency that is engaged consistently and persistently in civil rights and constitutional rights abuses and scare tactics.”

Republican Sen. Johnny Mautz raised concerns about the bill, noting that one of his counties has entered into a 287(g) partnership with ICE.

“I’ve got a county in my district that just signed a 287(g),” Mautz said. “So, if this law moves out of the Senate, and the governor signs it, would anything prohibit the county from just taking that agreement and making it its policy?”

Sen. Smith replied that the bill would prevent formalized agreements, though counties could still craft their own policies.

“It’s a policy that either an agency, county executive, or the county council will develop; it’s not a formalized memorandum of understanding with another entity,” Smith said. “It’s a policy that gets propagated just like any other agency or unit of government would do.”

Both the Maryland House and Senate passed versions of the bill. Senate Bill 245 passed the Senate 32-12, and the House voted 99-40 in favor. The final bill would take effect pending approval from Gov. Wes Moore.

Democratic Sen. Ron Watson said, “America has always been the great melting pot. That’s what makes us who we are, and while I do understand and respect the challenges that are going on, like many folks in my community, we are horrified by what we have been seeing with ICE and the lack of restraint going on in the communities.”

With both chambers having passed their versions of the bill, the final legislation would take effect if signed by Moore.

We will provide an update when more information becomes available.