Sheriff Jenkins Says 287(g) Program Keeps His County Safe
Frederick County Sheriff Charles Jenkins
Maryland Sheriff's Offices are different from other law enforcement agencies because they have constitutional authority while other police departments are created by statute or local governments. Maryland sheriffs are constitutional officers, established in the Maryland Constitution (Article IV, Section 44).
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They hold common‑law powers to preserve the peace, enforce laws, arrest offenders, and commit them to jail. This system dates back to 1634. Since they have these powers, they have more independence from local political structures and reflect the priorities of the local voters.
Maryland Sheriff's Offices can and will cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) because of the 287(g) program. The 287(g) program is a federal partnership between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law‑enforcement agencies.
The program allows local law enforcement in some Maryland counties to work with ICE to identify people who may be undocumented when they are arrested and booked into jail.
In participating counties, correctional officers screen newly arrested individuals and can notify ICE if they suspect someone is not a U.S. citizen. Officers receive special ICE training to check immigration status and process individuals for potential removal.
Now, progressive Maryland legislators want to revoke that program. Democrat legislators introduced bills in 2025 to prohibit cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE. They say that the program targets illegals and promotes fear in their communities. Groups like CASA and other illegal immigrant advocacy groups promote the end of the 287(g) program.
Sheriffs in Maryland overwhelmingly support the program.
One sheriff, Charles Jenkins, says the program protects his community and will pose a Constitutional challenge to any prohibitive action taken in the general assembly. Here is a report from FOX 45 Baltimore:
The General Assembly Session begins Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at noon.
