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Bill

HB 1307

Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement - Cooperation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Arikan and 10 co-sponsors

Withdrawn bill would have mandated Maryland law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, raising local control and community trust concerns.

Withdrawn by Sponsor
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1307

Legislative bill overview

HB 1307 would have required Maryland law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement authorities and potentially allowed them to enforce immigration laws. The bill was introduced in the Judiciary Committee but was withdrawn by its sponsor on February 17, 2025, before substantive debate occurred.

Why is this important

Immigration enforcement cooperation involves fundamental tensions between local policing priorities and federal immigration policy. States and municipalities have significant discretion in whether to participate in immigration enforcement, which affects community trust in police, resource allocation, and the legal status of immigrant residents—including citizens' family members and essential workers.

Potential points of contention

  • Federalism and local control: Whether states should be required to enforce federal immigration law, or whether local jurisdictions should retain discretion based on community needs
  • Community-police relations: Research indicates that immigrants avoid reporting crimes and cooperating with police in jurisdictions heavily enforcing immigration law, potentially undermining public safety
  • Resource allocation: Whether local police departments should dedicate personnel and funding to immigration enforcement versus community policing priorities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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