ANNAPOLIS, MD—The September Gonzales poll showed that 84% of Marylanders want local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, with a record of 69% strongly supporting it. In this same poll, 64% of respondents support the job Wes Moore is doing as Governor.

“Marylanders clearly want change in Maryland’s ICE policies,” said Delegate Matt Morgan of St. Mary’s County. “Every demographic and region of the state shows incredible support for ICE cooperation (PDF), including 90% of African Americans. The support for a change in this policy is much stronger, wider, and higher than even the notable support for Governor Wes Moore.”

The Gonzales poll (PDF) asked, “Do you support or oppose local law enforcement in Maryland being required to turn over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any illegal immigrant who has been previously convicted of a violent crime, convicted gang member, or convicted of a sexual offense?” Support for this question is above 80% in almost every category, with overwhelmingly high support among minorities, including 76% strong support among African Americans and 88% support among women.

“Before a convicted illegal immigrant is released from jail, Marylanders want ICE to have time to pick up wanted criminals,” said Delegate Kathy Szeliga of Baltimore County. “The Baltimore ICE office has detainers on some terrible criminals, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and gang members. Law enforcement must be required to turn these dangerous people over to ICE and not release them back into our communities as they are doing now.”

In the past year, there have been two high-profile murders committed by criminal illegal immigrants in Harford County.

“The tragic and brutal murders of Rachel Morin, who was out for a jog, and Kayla Hamilton, who was strangled to death in her bedroom, were completely preventable,” said Delegate Lauren Arikan of Harford County. “ICE detainers are only issued for dangerous criminals, and the public deserves to be safe in their homes and communities.”

Governor Wes Moore appeared on “Face the Nation” on June 16 of this year, saying he agreed with Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler’s calls for getting tougher on criminal illegal immigrants and requiring cooperation with ICE. Afterward, 14 Delegates sent the Governor a letter asking for action. Those Delegates say Governor Wes Moore has not responded.

Delegate Brian Chisholm of Anne Arundel County has vowed that legislation will be reintroduced in January.

“It’s time to not only repeal bad legislation but also to pass a bill that strengthens the cooperation between Maryland jails and ICE to remove any individual who is here illegally and incarcerated for the worst crimes such as rape, murder, and human trafficking,” said Delegate Chisholm.

Chisholm is working with seven other Delegates to prefile two bills.

“Recently, it was reported Walter Martinez, an MS-13 gang member in the country illegally, was able to attend a Maryland school while he was the primary suspect in the July 2022 murder of Kayla Hamilton.” added Delegate Chisholm, “We want to know how something like this could happen in our state, and prevent it from happening ever again.”

The ICE office located in Baltimore leads the country in sex offender and pedophile apprehensions. According to their September 6 press release, they had, “secured a record 153 noncitizen sex offenders…during a single fiscal year.” The fiscal year ends on September 30.

“The following members of the General Assembly are calling on Governor Moore to issue an immediate executive order instructing corrections officers at local jails to honor ICE detainers before releasing illegal immigrants with active detainers,” reads a press release issued on Tuesday. “We also ask for his support and help during the 2025 legislative session to pass legislation to address these critical public safety concerns.”

The release was signed by Delegate Matt Morgan, Delegate Lauren Arikan, Delegate Robin Grammar, Delegate Kathy Szeliga, Delegate Mark Fisher, Delegate Brian Chisholm, Delegate Nicholaus Kipke, and Delegate Ryan Nawrocki.

Photo via Pixabay