States Debate ICE Cooperation Legislation

Across several U.S. states, legislation regarding cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is being fiercely debated. In Maryland, the House of Delegates passed a bill banning formal 287(g) agreements while mandating notification to ICE when undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes are released. In Indiana, the Senate passed a bill requiring jails to inform county sheriffs about suspected undocumented immigrants, who must then notify ICE, focusing on those arrested for other offenses. Meanwhile, House Republicans are challenging the District of Columbia's sanctuary city status, with a bill preventing D.C. from restricting information sharing with ICE. This reflects a broader national divide over immigration enforcement and the role of local jurisdictions in federal immigration policy.