Maryland leaders are reacting after the Trump administration .

According to the administration, Baltimore, along with nine other Maryland cities and eight counties,  interferes with federal immigration law enforcement. 

"To be clear: by definition, Baltimore is not a sanctuary city, because we do not have jurisdiction over our jails," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott responded. "We follow our limited obligations as defined under federal immigration law."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the jurisdictions listed in Maryland "protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril."

What is a sanctuary jurisdiction?

A sanctuary jurisdiction is a location that "deliberately and shamefully obstructs federal immigration laws, endangering American communities," according to an executive order by President Trump.

The executive order dictates that a list of sanctuary jurisdictions be published. The jurisdictions are determined based on compliance with federal law enforcement, restriction of information, and legal protections for migrants.

According to the DHS, each listed sanctuary jurisdiction will be notified of its non-compliance. 

"DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens," the agency said. 

Maryland cities, counties designated as sanctuary jurisdictions 

DHS's list of sanctuary jurisdictions includes 36 states, some with multiple cities and counties. 

In Maryland, the following locations were designated as sanctuary jurisdictions: 

Cities

• Annapolis 
• Baltimore City
• Cheverly
• College Park
• Edmonston
• Greenbelt
• Hyattsville
• Mount Rainier
• Rockville
• Tacoma Park

Counties

• Anne Arundel
• Baltimore
• Charles
• Howard
• Montgomery
• Prince George's 
• Queen Anne's
• Talbot

Washington, D.C., and Delaware self-identified as sanctuary jurisdictions, according to DHS. Parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia were also identified in the list. 

"Sanctuary jurisdictions, including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws, endanger American communities," DHS said in a statement.   

Baltimore mayor reacts to sanctuary city designation

In a response to the designation, Mayor Scott said Baltimore is "a welcoming city" for immigrants.

"We make no apologies for that," Mayor Scott said. "We are better because of our immigrant neighbors, and we are not about to sell them out to this administration." 

In June 2024, Scott signed a bill that made the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA) a permanent department in the city's government.

Mayor Scott said the goal of MIMA is to provide services and resources for immigrants in Baltimore. He said Baltimore City ranked fifth in the country in 2021 for immigrant integration.

"Baltimore remains committed to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of all of our residents," Mayor Scott said. "We are exploring all options to protect our immigrant neighbors and the funding appropriated to our City by Congress, including litigation."

More Maryland leaders respond

Anne Arundel County responded to the claims, saying, "The County has adopted no local laws or policies that obstruct federal immigration laws and does not obstruct or interfere with the enforcement of federal immigration laws."   

Howard County released a similar statement, adding, "If there were such a law, treaty, or agreement that requires us to enforce federal immigration law or hold a detainee beyond their release date we would welcome ICE to bring it to our attention, as it is our intention to stay in compliance with Federal law."   

Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly says the number of Maryland counties that made the list is concerning, adding it threatens public safety. 

"Bad guys don't come and sit in one of our towns. They move around. They move around throughout the State and our nation. And so, it's really important that we all work together as leaders throughout the State and the country at the local level, the county level, where most of the law enforcement is done right overwhelmingly," said Cassilly. 

In April, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador was convicted in the rape and murder of Harford County resident Rachel Morin. 

"Lord knows how many sanctuary jurisdictions that person passed through, and had some of those jurisdictions enforced and worked with ICE, there's a good chance that that person, that murderer, would have been picked up in one of those other jurisdictions," said Cassilly. 

No written notification

CASA and other immigrant organizations stand strong that most immigrants are not criminals, but rather working, contributing members of society. 

"We continue to stand up for immigrant families and to challenge these policies that really threaten to marginalize and criminalize individuals solely because of their skin color, and or their background," said Ninfa Amador-Hernandez, policy manager with CASA.

The big question remains, though—what happens if these jurisdictions do not comply? 

That was not made clear in the order. 

As of now, the counties surrounding Baltimore say they have not received any written notification from the federal government. 

• Immigration