Allegany County Not Among New Maryland Counties Partnering with ICE in 2025

Key Takeaways

• Allegany County is not part of the ICE 287(g) program as of July 2025.
• Seven Maryland counties, all with Republican sheriffs, have active 287(g) agreements.
• Allegany participates only in Secure Communities, sharing biometric data without local immigration enforcement.

Allegany County and ICE: No New 287(g) Partnership as of July 2025

As of July 2, 2025, Allegany County has not joined the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program, despite recent changes in immigration enforcement across Maryland. While some Maryland counties have signed new agreements with ICE, Allegany County remains outside this group. This update is important for residents, immigrants, and anyone interested in how local law enforcement works with federal immigration authorities.

What Is Happening in Maryland?

In early 2025, four Maryland counties—Carroll, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington—signed new 287(g) agreements with ICE. These counties joined Cecil, Harford, and Frederick, bringing the total number of Maryland counties with active 287(g) partnerships to seven. All seven counties have sheriffs who are Republicans, and this expansion comes as the Trump administration puts more focus on immigration enforcement.

Despite rumors and confusion, Allegany County is not among the counties with a new or expanded ICE partnership. There has been no official announcement, news report, or government statement confirming Allegany County’s participation in the 287(g) program as of July 2025.

Understanding the 287(g) Program

The 287(g) program is a partnership between ICE and local law enforcement agencies. Under this program, local officers are trained to act as immigration agents inside jails or detention centers. They can:

• Screen inmates for immigration status
• Issue ICE detainers, which are requests to hold someone for ICE pickup
• Start deportation proceedings for people found to be in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status

This program is different from other federal-local partnerships, such as the Secure Communities program, which only shares fingerprint and biometric data with ICE.

Why Is This Important for Allegany County?

For people living in Allegany County, the lack of a 287(g) agreement means local law enforcement does not have the power to act as immigration agents. If someone is arrested in Allegany County, their information may still be shared with ICE through Secure Communities, but local officers are not trained or authorized to enforce federal immigration law under 287(g).

This distinction matters because:

• People detained in 287(g) counties face a higher risk of being flagged for immigration enforcement
• In Allegany County, ICE can still act independently, but local police are not directly involved in immigration enforcement

Recent Trends in Maryland’s 287(g) Participation

As of April 2025, the following Maryland counties have active 287(g) agreements:

• Carroll
• Garrett
• St. Mary’s
• Washington
• Cecil
• Harford
• Frederick

Over 1.1 million Marylanders—nearly 20% of the state’s population—now live in a county with a 287(g) agreement. This marks a significant increase in local participation since the start of 2025.

The decision to join or stay in the 287(g) program is made by each county’s sheriff, not by the state government. This means that local politics and the views of each sheriff play a big role in whether a county partners with ICE.

Secure Communities in Allegany County

While Allegany County does not have a 287(g) agreement, it does participate in the Secure Communities program. This federal program has been in place in Allegany County since 2011. Secure Communities works by sharing fingerprints and other biometric data from local jails with ICE. If ICE finds a match for someone who may be in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status, they can issue a detainer and request that the person be held for pickup.

However, Secure Communities does not give local officers the power to enforce immigration law or start deportation proceedings. It is a data-sharing system, not a deputization program like 287(g).

Legislative Efforts and Political Debate

In 2025, Maryland’s Democratic-majority legislature debated a bill called the Maryland Values Act. This bill would have banned all 287(g) agreements in the state by July 1, 2025. However, the bill did not pass, and the decision to join or leave the 287(g) program remains with local sheriffs.

Supporters of the 287(g) program, including some law enforcement leaders and ICE officials, argue that it helps keep communities safe by removing people who have committed serious crimes. For example, Frederick County, which has the oldest 287(g) program in Maryland, reports 1,795 removals since 2008, many involving people convicted of serious felonies.

On the other hand, immigrant rights groups and some lawmakers believe the program harms community trust and can lead to racial profiling or wrongful detention. They argue that people may be less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police if they fear immigration enforcement.

How Does This Affect Allegany County Residents?

For people living in Allegany County, the current situation means:

• No new or expanded ICE partnership or 287(g) agreement as of July 2025
• Local law enforcement does not act as immigration agents
• ICE can still conduct enforcement actions, but without direct help from local officers

If you are an immigrant or have family members who are immigrants in Allegany County, you should know that your risk of being flagged for immigration enforcement is lower than in counties with 287(g) agreements. However, if you are arrested and booked into jail, your information may still be shared with ICE through Secure Communities.

What Happens in 287(g) Counties?

In counties with 287(g) agreements, the process is different. Local officers inside jails are trained by ICE to:

• Check the immigration status of everyone booked into jail
• Issue detainers for people suspected of being in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status
• Hold people for ICE pickup, even after they have posted bail or finished serving time

This can lead to longer detention times and a higher chance of being placed in deportation proceedings. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the 287(g) program has led to thousands of removals in Maryland, especially in counties with long-standing agreements.

Who Decides on 287(g) Participation?

The decision to join or keep a 287(g) agreement is made by each county’s sheriff. In Maryland, all seven counties with active agreements have Republican sheriffs. The state government cannot force a county to join or leave the program unless a new law is passed.

Key figures in the debate include:

• Sheriffs in participating counties: They defend the program as a tool for public safety.
• Maryland ICE Director Matthew Elliston: He supports the program and says it helps remove dangerous criminals.
• Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins: He has been a vocal supporter of 287(g) and claims it protects the community.
• Senate Judicial Proceedings Chair Will Smith: He and other lawmakers continue to push for a statewide ban, arguing the program harms civil rights.

Recent Data and Enforcement Patterns

Between October 2022 and February 2025, Maryland declined to honor 384 ICE detainers. This shows that even in a state with several 287(g) counties, local policies can differ widely. Some counties work closely with ICE, while others limit cooperation.

Frederick County, which has had a 287(g) agreement since 2008, reports that most removals involve people convicted of serious crimes. However, critics say the program can also sweep up people with minor offenses or those who have not been convicted of any crime.

What About Future Changes?

As of July 2025, there are no pending announcements or expected changes regarding Allegany County’s participation in ICE enforcement programs. The Maryland General Assembly may revisit the issue in future sessions, but unless state law changes, local sheriffs will keep the power to decide.

The Trump administration’s focus on immigration enforcement and the upcoming 2026 sheriff elections could influence future participation. If Allegany County elects a sheriff who supports 287(g), the county could join the program in the future. For now, there is no sign of such a change.

Practical Guidance for Allegany County Residents

If you live in Allegany County and are concerned about immigration enforcement, here are some important points:

• Local police are not deputized to enforce federal immigration law under 287(g)
• ICE can still act independently, but local officers are not involved in immigration enforcement
• If you are arrested, your information may be shared with ICE through Secure Communities, but this is not the same as a 287(g) partnership
• You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer if questioned about your immigration status

If you need legal help or have questions about your rights, you can contact the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project (MILAP) or visit the Maryland People’s Law Library for more information.

For official information about the 287(g) program, you can visit the ICE 287(g) Program page.

Summary Table: Maryland Counties with 287(g) Agreements (as of April 2025)

Key Takeaways

• Allegany County is not part of the 287(g) program as of July 2025
• Seven Maryland counties have active 287(g) agreements, covering nearly 20% of the state’s population
• Local sheriffs decide whether to join or stay in the program
• The Maryland legislature has not passed a statewide ban on 287(g) agreements
• Residents in Allegany County face less risk of local immigration enforcement than those in 287(g) counties

What Should You Do Next?

• Stay informed: Watch for any official announcements from the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office or local government about changes in immigration enforcement.
• Know your rights: If you are an immigrant, learn about your rights during police encounters and what to do if ICE contacts you.
• Seek legal help: If you have questions or concerns, reach out to trusted legal organizations or community groups for support.

For more details about immigration enforcement in Maryland, you can also visit the Maryland Department of Human Services Immigration Enforcement Information page.

Final Thoughts

The situation in Maryland shows how immigration enforcement can differ greatly from one county to another. While some counties have chosen to work closely with ICE through the 287(g) program, others, like Allegany County, have not. This means that where you live can have a big impact on your risk of immigration enforcement.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the policy landscape in Maryland remains dynamic, with ongoing debates and the possibility of future changes. For now, Allegany County residents can be assured that there is no new or expanded ICE partnership or 287(g) agreement in place as of July 2025.

Staying informed and knowing your rights are the best ways to protect yourself and your family in a changing immigration environment. If you have concerns, reach out to local legal resources or advocacy groups for help and guidance.

Learn Today

287(g) program → A partnership allowing trained local officers to enforce federal immigration laws within jails.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responsible for immigration law enforcement and removals.
Secure Communities → A federal data-sharing program exchanging biometric jail data with ICE for immigration enforcement.
Detainer → An ICE request to hold a detained person for transfer to immigration authorities.
Sheriff → An elected local law enforcement official who decides county participation in immigration enforcement programs.

This Article in a Nutshell

As of July 2025, Allegany County remains outside Maryland’s 287(g) ICE partnerships, unlike seven counties with active agreements led by Republican sheriffs. Local officers in Allegany cannot enforce immigration laws, relying solely on Secure Communities’ data sharing. This distinction affects immigrant interactions with law enforcement and immigration enforcement risks.
— By VisaVerge.com