ICE Director P.J. Lechleitner stated that jurisdictions across the country are reconsidering their sanctuary city policies and increasing cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the interest of public safety. Some cities are now discussing ways to coordinate with ICE further, such as giving advance notice before releasing undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes. Previously, many cities with Democratic or progressive leadership had been reluctant to work with ICE out of fear it would deter migrants from reporting crimes, but now some are changing their tune.
ICE has been advocating for more cooperation from big, blue cities for a long time, particularly in cases where migrants with serious criminal records have been released and gone on to commit more crimes. While ICE can arrest immigrants after their release, it can be challenging to track them down and may jeopardize public safety by conducting arrests in neighborhoods. Recent incidents, such as the rise of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the death of Laken Riley, have intensified pressure on police to prevent crimes committed by migrants.
In Maryland, jurisdictions like Montgomery County are finding ways to cooperate more with ICE while also maintaining trust with their immigrant populations. Montgomery County now gives ICE 48 hours’ notice before releasing migrants from custody, a change made in response to public pressure. Similarly, Baltimore County is working with ICE to prioritize public safety while respecting individuals’ constitutional rights.
Overall, there is no evidence of a migrant crime wave as claimed by Donald Trump and other Republicans, but recent incidents have highlighted the need for cooperation between local jurisdictions and ICE to prevent crimes committed by migrants with serious criminal records.
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