In Maryland, a coalition of 17 elected sheriffs filed a federal lawsuit against the state, challenging the Community Trust Act that curbs local law‑enforcement cooperation with ICE. The act bars officials from asking about immigration status, reporting detainees, or handing people over without a warrant. Sheriffs argue the law violates constitutional rights and leaves officers in legal limbo for local public trust.

The law mirrors Maryland’s earlier ban on formal 287(g) agreements, but now tightens informal ties by restricting notifications to ICE unless a suspect has a felony conviction, sex‑offender registration, or a five‑year prison record elsewhere. Critics say the restrictions expose officers to legal risk, while supporters claim they protect residents' civil liberties for all citizens and public trust.

The lawsuit signals a broader clash between local law‑enforcement autonomy and federal immigration policy, adding a legal hurdle for sheriffs who must navigate conflicting statutes. If the court sides with the sheriffs, Maryland could become a model for states seeking to limit ICE cooperation, potentially reshaping enforcement dynamics nationwide and influence how federal agencies collaborate with jurisdictions across the country.