Maryland officials, including Governor Wes Moore and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, swiftly enacted two emergency laws banning private detention centers and restricting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access in Howard County. The first law prohibits converting privately owned buildings into detention centers, a response to a permit granted for such a facility in Elkridge, which was later revoked amid community concerns about health, welfare, and oversight. Governor Moore also expressed opposition to a similar ICE detention center planned in Washington County, emphasizing the need for federal accountability and local resource protection.
The second law, introduced by Councilwoman Liz Walsh, limits ICE’s access to county agencies by establishing guidelines for county employees to report ICE presence and voiding contracts that support immigration enforcement. Despite some union concerns about implementation, the county administration is working to educate and empower employees to navigate these changes. Both laws took immediate effect and are being hailed as a progressive model for managing ICE activities at the local level.
