In Maryland, Democrat Gov. Wes Moore has enacted a law to ban local law enforcement partnerships with ICE.

But, it doesn’t seem to be going how he expected.

The new law has nine sheriffs in the state absolutely furious!

They say that they will defy the ban and continue cooperating with immigration authorities.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis called the ban “the biggest betrayal to law enforcement and public safety” that he has ever seen.

Watch:

BREAKING – Nine Maryland sheriffs have just announced they will ignore Democrat Gov. Wes Moore’s ban on cooperation with ICE and continue allowing officers to be deputized by the federal government for immigration screenings. pic.twitter.com/BHpzAQeFEu

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) February 20, 2026

Here’s a longer clip:

HOLY SMOKES. Maryland Sheriffs are going BERSERK after Democrat Gov. Moore abolishes 287(g) agreements with ICE

“This is the BIGGEST BETRAYAL to law enforcement and public safety I have EVER seen.”

“Now you’ll see an ICE surge in this state!” pic.twitter.com/4vIrOQxnQm

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 20, 2026

Specifically, the new law banned 287(g) partnerships with ICE.

But, it doesn’t prevent local authorities from notifying ICE when an illegal alien is arrested.

Fox Baltimore has more details:

Maryland sheriffs who previously participated in the federal 287(g) program say they plan to keep working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in other ways, even after the governor signed a ban on formal 287(g) agreements.

Although the new law eliminates formal memorandums of understanding (MOU) with ICE, it does not end all cooperation with the agency.

Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees said, “So I created a policy.”

Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said, “So we go forward still in partnership. Even if it’s not formal, even if the MOUs are banned.”

Gahler said Harford County will continue sharing information with ICE about people arrested in the county.

“We’re going to provide ICE with the information of those people we arrest, so that they can file detainers,” he said.

Sheriffs also pointed to guidance from the governor. In a letter sent to sheriffs, the governor said the new law does not prevent localities from continuing to notify ICE about the impending release of an individual of interest.

One sheriff said, “The governor made it clear in his letter that came out to us yesterday, he wants us to continue to collaborate with ICE, we just can’t do it through a formal 287(g) agreement.”

God Bless these sheriffs!

Kudos to you guys so glad to see someone understands the need and steps up to the plate

— Maggie Scheetz (@scheetzm2) February 20, 2026

Illegal orders that prevent law enforcement from doing their job and, you know, upholding the law should be disobeyed.

This X user makes a great point:

When you get sworn in as a police officer, you take an oath to uphold the law.

Which means that you are bound by your duty to disobey any unlawful orders like Wes Moore’s.

Same with the COVID mandates. Many officers just outright said they could not be enforced.

— The Conservative Alternative (@OldeWorldOrder) February 20, 2026

Your thoughts?