1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to end collaboration between local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Maryland. Over 700 Maryland residents have signed a petition demanding this change, reflecting widespread concern about how these partnerships harm our communities. When local police collaborate with ICE, immigrant families live in fear of reporting crimes, seeking medical care, sending their children to school, or attending places of worship. This fear does not make our communities safer. It makes everyone more vulnerable. Crimes go unreported, witnesses stay silent, and public health suffers when people avoid hospitals. Trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve breaks down completely. This is not just an immigrant issue. It affects all of us. When entire communities are afraid to interact with police, criminals operate with impunity and public safety deteriorates. Local law enforcement should focus on local crimes and building community trust, not serving as an extension of federal immigration enforcement. I am asking you to take two specific actions. First, prohibit local police from collaborating with ICE in civil immigration enforcement activities. This includes ending information sharing, joint operations, and honoring administrative ICE detainers without a judicial warrant. Second, explicitly forbid ICE agents from entering sensitive locations like schools, medical facilities, and places of worship for immigration enforcement purposes, except where legally mandated by a judicial warrant. Schools must remain places of learning. Hospitals must remain places of healing. Houses of worship must remain places of peace. These protections are essential for maintaining the fabric of our communities and ensuring that all Maryland residents can access the services and institutions they need without fear. The momentum behind this petition demonstrates that Maryland residents want change now. I urge you to act swiftly to implement these protections and rebuild trust between law enforcement and our communities.