Wicomico officials react to DOJ suit against Maryland over immigration policy

Salisbury, Md. – Local officials react after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Maryland and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown on Thursday over what the DOJ refers to as “sanctuary immigration policies.”

Multiple sheriffs statewide went to Annapolis in May to testify against and to sue the state over the Community Trust Act, legislation that restricts how much local law enforcement can collaborate with federal immigration enforcement.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said he anticipated the lawsuit and said he wanted to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to lessen the “traumatic” impact ICE can have while conducting immigration raids.

“I was very concerned that if, we are not allowed to work with ICE on a regular basis, it would mean Ice was going to go out into our communities and be kicking in more doors and taking people off in Lowe’s, Home Depot, in their homes, at schools,” he said. “And that’s something I don’t want. Nobody wants that. We want to do a safe transfer of those who are wanted by ICE. In the confines of a secure facility like a detention center.”

Wicomico County Julie Giordano told WMDT in an email statement that the lawsuit was not surprising.

“In fact, it’s exactly what we warned the State of Maryland would happen,” Giordano said. “I traveled to Annapolis and testified against the legislation prohibiting local cooperation through the 287(g) program because I believed it put politics ahead of public safety. Unfortunately, those warnings were ignored.”

In the lawsuit, the DOJ specifically cites the recently passed Community Trust Act.

However, in a statement, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said:

“The Community Trust Act does not prohibit Maryland law enforcement from working with federal authorities on criminal matters, nor does it stop federal officers from operating in Maryland. It governs only how Maryland’s own state and local law enforcement resources may be used. The Constitution does not let the federal government compel states to carry out federal immigration enforcement. So, when Maryland chooses not to spend its resources on that federal work, it is not defying the law, it is exercising a right the Supreme Court has recognized.

Brown said his office will defend the state’s policies.