Maryland AG says state officers should avoid enforcing immigration laws

Chevall Pryce, The Baltimore Sun on Oct 15, 2025

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As National Guard troops have been deployed to several U.S. cities by President Donald Trump, Maryland has issued guidance to the state’s law enforcement, saying officers working with federal agents must heed state policing standards and should not enforce civil immigration laws.

On Wednesday, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown released new guidance for local and state law enforcement officers partnering and interacting with federal law enforcement agencies. Officers will have to follow Maryland state law rather than adopt the behavior and standards of federal law enforcement officers, the memo says.

“Maryland’s law enforcement officers are governed by Maryland law and the communities they serve, regardless of shifting federal priorities,” Brown said in a news release. “We are providing this guidance to help our officers ensure they are complying with applicable State standards for use of force, civil rights protections, and police accountability when they are working with federal agents who may not be bound to the same requirements.”

According to the memorandum, Maryland law enforcement must follow standards set by the state on use of force and avoid enforcing civil immigration laws or helping federal law enforcement do so.

Local officers must wear body cameras in accordance with state law and identify themselves when making stops. Officers are subject to civilian oversight for misconduct and are subject to liability for violating state or federal law.

This memorandum comes as Trump sent National Guard troops to Chicago, Portland, Oregon and Memphis, Tennessee. Trump alluded to troops coming to Baltimore several weeks ago.

Republican Del. Jason C. Buckel, Maryland House minority leader, said it is the duty of local police officers to protect federal law enforcement, such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, but agrees with Brown that officers do not need to be involved in ICE’s operations.

“Our law enforcement does not need to be responsible for immigration matters on the streets of Maryland,” Buckel said. “But they should not be adverse or antagonistic to federal agencies performing their duties, and we trust Maryland’s officers will do their duty without getting involved in the politics that seems to consume our Attorney General’s priorities.”

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