Hogan says Maryland police will ‘ignore’ new law prohibiting them from working with ICE
The Hill
by Ashleigh FieldsFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) has announced that local police in his former jurisdiction will disregard a newly enacted law signed by current Governor Wes Moore (D), which restricts cooperation between state law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This move highlights a significant political divide over immigration policy. Hogan, who remains influential despite leaving office, insists that public safety is the top priority and that collaborating with ICE has been standard practice in Maryland for decades.
Moore's emergency bill aims to prevent local law enforcement from assisting ICE operations, aligning with progressive policies supported by immigrant rights advocates. However, Hogan argues that such cooperation is crucial for effective immigration enforcement and that his predecessors allowed it without issue. This stance reflects a broader national debate over whether states should enforce federal immigration laws or adopt more lenient approaches.
This controversy underscores the ongoing political tension between federal and state authority regarding immigration enforcement. It also taps into deeper concerns about public safety, civil rights, and the role of ICE in communities. The dispute is likely to resonate with voters who care about how local law enforcement interacts with federal agencies and impacts immigrant populations.
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Originally published on The Hill on 2/19/2026