Some Maryland sheriffs sue state over "unconstitutional overreach" of new immigration legislation
Seventeen Maryland sheriffs have filed a class-action lawsuit against the state over the Community Trust Act, which restricts local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.Summary
Seventeen out of 24 Maryland sheriffs have filed a class-action lawsuit against Governor Wes Moore, the state, and the attorney general, challenging the constitutionality of the recently passed Community Trust Act. The legislation, passed as emergency legislation on the final day of the session, prohibits law enforcement from holding individuals for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a warrant and bans asking detainees about their immigration status. The sheriffs argue that this ban, which effectively ends the 287(g) agreements, constitutes an unconstitutional overreach that will result in dangerous criminals being released back into communities. Supporters of the bill, including Senator Clarence Lam, contend that it is necessary to close loopholes where sheriffs were still informally communicating with federal officials despite the previous ban on 287(g) agreements. Governor Moore has stated that he will not veto the law, asserting that Maryland will not allow untrained and unqualified ICE agents to deputize local law enforcement officers.
(Source：CBS News)