With changing federal and state laws and directives, local, state, and federal leaders came together at #MACoCon to share policies, practices, and updates on customs enforcement actions in Maryland communities.
Local, state, and federal officials sat on an hour long panel during the 2025 MACo Summer Conference to discuss how immigration enforcement policies, embedded in three different tiers of government, are being implemented. One overwhelming sentiment from the panelists was that changes are continuing to take place as new Maryland and federal laws go into effect and are implemented. Even with clarifications and explanations, understandably, the confusion and frustration of audience members based on existing enforcement practices was significant. It is anticipated that additional conversations will continue to be necessary however difficult.
The first presentation from the group was Warden Dan Galbraith from the Harford County Detention Center, where their facility hosts one of the original 287G programs in Maryland. With extensive knowledge of how the program works, Warden Galbraith walked audience members through exactly what happens when a local detention center collaborates with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His presentation explained training, policies, procedures, and even showed attendees pictures of all areas of the local facility where ICE interactions and processes take place.
Delegate Nicole Williams then walked audience members through new data handling laws and standards for local government cooperation with ICE investigators. She discussed not only the new requirements for local governments but also shared that additional legislation and mandates are likely to be proposed again during the 2026 legislative session, including the potential proposed repeal of the 287G programs in Maryland.
Delegate William’s presentation was followed by Acting Director Nikita Baker of the ICE Baltimore Field Office. Director Baker gave a thorough overview of all the divisions of the local agency operation. She covered the directives that local agencies have been given from the Trump Administration and how those policies have evolved in Maryland. In particular she mentioned the successes her teams have had but also the challenges they have run into. Specifically, Director Baker pointed out that the Baltimore Office is one of the only in the country with no official holding facility, and it is incumbent upon them to try and process individuals quickly to avoid lengthy local detention.
The last panelist of the group was Julia Cortina who closely follows all federal immigration actions that could have an effect on county governments for the National Association of Counties (NACo). She explained the changes coming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that involve the expansion of immigration enforcement operations. Additionally, she discussed initiatives at NACo to try and get clarification from the Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security on a confusing misfire of designating sanctuary jurisdictions without cause or qualification.
- Speakers:
- The Honorable Delegate Nicole Williams, MD State Delegate
- Nikita Baker, Acting Director, Baltimore Field Office, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Julia Cortina – Associate Legislative Director, Immigration Task Force, National Association of Counties
- Daniel Galbraith, Director of Corrections, Harford County
- Moderator: The Honorable Ashanti Martinez, MD State Delegate
More About MACo’s Summer Conference:
