Maryland Bill Would Bar ICE Agents From State Law Enforcement Jobs

ANNAPOLIS -- A Maryland lawmaker has introduced legislation that would bar certain U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from being hired into state law enforcement agencies.

Del. Adrian Boafo, who represents a district in Prince George’s County, said the proposed “ICE Breakers Act of 2026” would disqualify ICE officers who began working for the agency on or after Jan. 20, 2025, from obtaining sworn law enforcement positions with Maryland state agencies, according to WTOP Radio.

Those agencies include the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Maryland Natural Resources Police, and other state-level law enforcement divisions.

According to Boafo, the legislation is intended to address concerns about the tone and pace of recent ICE recruitment efforts, as well as the broader impact of accelerated federal immigration enforcement on Maryland communities. In comments to WTOP, Boafo said the bill is aimed at ensuring that state law enforcement agencies hire officers he described as having “principle,” while expressing concerns about messaging he believes promotes aggressive enforcement practices.

The bill would not apply retroactively to ICE officers who served prior to Jan. 20, 2025, and would not prevent current or former ICE personnel from working in non-law enforcement roles within Maryland state government.

Boafo cited recent shootings involving ICE officers in Maryland, Minnesota and Portland as events that have intensified public scrutiny of ICE tactics and operations. He also pointed to social media recruitment posts by the Department of Homeland Security, including one advertisement that has drawn criticism for its informal language and imagery.

Addressing potential legal challenges, Boafo said employment discrimination law outlines specific protected classes and argued that federal law enforcement affiliation does not fall under those protections. He added that the proposal is narrowly tailored to state law enforcement hiring standards, not a blanket prohibition on employment.

The proposal comes as Maryland and Prince George’s County continue to feel the effects of federal workforce reductions, even as ICE has offered signing bonuses of up to $50,000 as of August 2025. Boafo acknowledged the financial incentive but said community trust and public safety concerns should remain a priority for state law enforcement agencies.

Boafo said he consulted with current and former ICE officers while developing the legislation and expects additional lawmakers to co-sponsor the bill. Maryland’s General Assembly session is scheduled to begin Jan. 14.

WTOP reported that it has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment.