WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Thursday issued a list of cities and counties around the nation permitting sanctuary policies.
In Maryland, the Administration named eight counties and 10 cities they say "undermine the rule of law and endanger the lives of Americans and Law Enforcement."
Among the counties are Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, and Talbot.
Cities include Annapolis, Baltimore, Cheverly, College Park, Edmonston, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, Rockville, and Tacoma Park.
The list was published per Trump's Executive Order titled, "Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens."
Multiple factors were considered in compiling the list, like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal immigrants.
The Department says it will issue a formal non-compliance notice to each jurisdiction listed.
"DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens," the Department said in a statement. "Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril."
In the past, Trump's threatened to withhold federal funding from states, cities, and counties who don't fall in line.
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott was one of the first local leaders to respond, saying “By definition, Baltimore is not a sanctuary city, because we do not have jurisdiction over our jails."
Scott instead refers to Baltimore as "a welcoming city."
"We make no apologies for that. We are better because of our immigrant neighbors, and we are not about to sell them out to this administration," Scott continued. “Baltimore remains committed to protecting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all of our residents. We are exploring all options to protect our immigrant neighbors and the funding appropriated to our City by Congress, including litigation.”
Earlier this year, WMAR-2 News reported on a study ranking Maryland tenth in the nation for ignoring ICE detainers.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, 384 undocumented migrants wanted by ICE were freed in Maryland between October 1, 2022 and February 6, 2025.
Three detention facilities in particular — Baltimore County, Howard County, and Gaithersburg — all of which are on Trump's list — reportedly released individuals charged and/or convicted of murder.
As of last June, the Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's, and St. Mary's County Detention Centers were also deemed "non-cooperative" by ICE.
The latest example occurred May 22, when Howard County corrections officials freed a convicted rapist who violated his probation days earlier.
In March 2023, the Federation for American Immigration Reform estimated that 350,000 undocumented migrants reside in Maryland.
We're also one of nearly 20 states to issue drivers licenses to immigrants unlawfully in the country.
While Trump vows to crackdown on illegal immigration, with increased deportations, he's been met by resistance, including in the courts.
Just last week the Chief judge for the United States District Court of Maryland issued a standing order, attempting to bar the Trump Administration from removing any and all illegal immigrants from the country, the minute they file a Habeas Corpus petition.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has gone as far to discourage law enforcement and hospitals from cooperating with ICE , threatening civil liability if they do.
Some agencies, however, including the Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, and Harford County Sheriff's Offices do assist ICE, by participating in the 287(g) program, which deputizes state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.