Immigration Enforcement Debated Amid New Baltimore County Bill

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — The Baltimore County Council is considering bills to limit cooperation on immigration enforcement and support the county's immigrants.

Bill 98-25 would prevent county employees from engaging "in the enforcement of the immigration and nationality laws of the United States." It would also bar the county from assisting "an immigration enforcement agency in the investigation or arrest of a person for a civil or criminal violation of the immigration and nationality laws of the United States, except as required by state or federal law, or international treaty."

Bill 97-25 would cement the county's Office of Immigrant Affairs into law. This division of county government already exists, but this legislation would make it legally required. According to the bill, the office would "promote the well-being, economic development, and integration of the county’s immigrant communities."

County Council Member Izzy Patoka (D-Pikesville) introduced both bills at the council's Monday meeting.

"In Baltimore County, our immigrant neighbors aren't just part of the community — they are the community," Patoka said Monday on Facebook. "They're our friends, our family and a huge part of what makes this County so special."

WYPR reported that Patoka had initially tried to limit when county police officers could wear masks, but he pulled back on the proposal and pivoted toward the two new bills.

"I think it is a tough one to get passed," Patoka said, according to WYPR, adding that "My history has been not to introduce legislation to make a point but to introduce legislation to get it implemented."

The legislation cast a new spotlight on Baltimore County's relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The U.S. Department of Justice had listed Baltimore County as a sanctuary jurisdiction on Aug. 5, but County Executive Kathy Klausmeier (D) at the time called the designation a mistake.

The DOJ announced on Oct. 31 that the county had signed an agreement to work with immigration officials. County officials said the deal didn't change any practices, but it formalized existing procedures.

The memo said the Baltimore Field Office of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations will notify the Baltimore County Department of Corrections when a judge places a detainer on a person or issues a relevant warrant. The Department of Corrections will, conversely, notify ICE when a person with a detainer is scheduled to be released from custody.

With the agreement, the DOJ removed Baltimore County's label as a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Related: Sanctuary Jurisdiction No Longer: Baltimore County Working With ICE

Dundalk resident Tim Fazenbaker questions whether Patoka's bills could bring back the sanctuary jurisdiction designation.

"Sanctuary status or anything like it would violate federal immigration enforcement and invite chaos," the Republican candidate for county council said during Monday's public comment period, according to The Baltimore Banner. "Worse, by refusing to cooperate, we risk losing approximately $500 million in federal funding."

The proposals will be discussed at work sessions at 4 p.m. on Jan. 13 and Jan. 27, 2026. The final vote is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026, at 6 p.m.

"The two extreme emotions we have are love and hate, and I'm going to move forward with these two bills with love — and push back on hate," Patoka said, according to WBAL-TV.

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