Maryland Democrats Pass Legislation to Protect Immigrant Communities, Prince George‘s Leaders Working to Stop ICE
During the legislative session, which concluded April 13, Maryland’s Democratic majorities in both the House of Delegates and State Senate passed the Community Trust Act, legislation banning cooperation with federal immigration agencies and establishing limits on how local law enforcement can partner with national policies.
Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-District 39), a progressive legislator representing a district with sizable, multiracial immigrant communities, who has advocated for years in Annapolis to protect immigrant communities, applauded the work happening to further that mission– from the Community Trust Act, to the emergency legislation Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed in February 2026, banning 287(g) immigration agreements between Maryland law enforcement and ICE.
“Public safety depends on trust. At a time when immigrant communities are under attack nationally, we took meaningful steps to protect families, uphold civil rights, and ensure people are treated with dignity,” Acevero told The Informer. “The passage of the 287(g) ban and the Community Trust Act is a major step forward in making Maryland safer and ensuring our policies reflect our values.”
Del. Nicole Williams (D-District 22) was the lead sponsor of the February emergency legislation, HB444.
“This legislation helps to keep them safe,” she said after the bill passed the House in February. “While it’s not going to cure our broken immigration policy, it’s a step in the right direction for what we can do on the state level.”
The Prince George’s Council is considering legislation to prevent immigration detention centers in the county, following efforts by ICE to secure facilities in Howard and Washington counties.
Councilmember Wala Blegay (D-At-large) is sponsoring a bill to prevent privately owned buildings from being converted into detention centers.
Further, Councilmember Jolene Ivey (D-District 6) is sponsoring legislation to close loopholes that could potentially allow a detention center in Prince George’s.
“When they (ICE) expand into bigger space, they say it’s for office space, but we’ve seen it happen just in Baltimore, where they’ll have office space and suddenly that’s packed with people being detained,” Ivey said in an interview with WTOP. “We want to make sure that doesn’t happen in Prince George’s County.”
Reps. Ivey, McCormick Launch Sickle Cell Caucus
Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey (D) is partnering with Rep. Rich McCormick (R) of Georgia to relaunch the Sickle Cell Disease Caucus, with the goals of elevating awareness about the illness, supporting research and innovation, and strengthening access to high-quality care.
Further, the congressmen hope to build support for legislation and federal funding that address the needs of the sickle cell community.
“The reconstitution of the Sickle Cell Disease Caucus is a critical step toward addressing a disease that has disproportionately impacted the Black community for far too long while remaining underfunded and overlooked,” Ivey said in a statement. “We have a responsibility to drive meaningful investments in research, expand access to care, and accelerate the search for lasting treatments and cures for those living with sickle cell disease. I look forward to working with members from both parties to address this issue.”
This disease affects more than 100,000 Americans, more than 90% of whom are Black. The average life expectancy for those suffering from sickle cell is more than 20 years shorter than average.
During President Donald Trump’s (R) second term, he has advanced budgets that have slashed funding for sickle cell research and a gene therapy treatment for Americans with sickle cell remains out of reach for many.
“I am proud to serve as a co-chair for the relaunch of the Congressional Sickle Cell Disease Caucus alongside Congressman Glenn Ivey,” McCormick said in a statement. “As an ER physician and former Morehouse School of Medicine student body president, I have seen firsthand the importance of expanding access to address health outcomes. This caucus will serve as a critical forum to ensure that those who suffer from sickle cell disorder maintain access to the critical care that they deserve.”
