8-06-2025 4:40am

DOJ Targets

MD County Named 'Harmful' Sanctuary Jurisdiction By DOJ

The county uses its authority "to violate, obstruct and defy the enforcement of federal immigration laws," the DOJ alleges.

The Department of Justice has named Baltimore County among a list of cities, states and counties that it says have laws in place that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws, and thus put Americans at risk.

"Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement Tuesday. "The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country."

According to Executive Order 14287 — which was signed by President Donald Trump in late April and titled "Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens" — Baltimore County is one of the entities that "continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct and defy the enforcement of federal immigration laws."

The order says it is "imperative that the federal government restore the enforcement of United States law."

As a result, the DOJ has filed several lawsuits against these jurisdictions to force them to comply with federal immigration laws. To be removed from the list, federal authorities said they will help any jurisdiction identify and eliminate its sanctuary policies.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration released a list that included eight Maryland counties, 10 towns and the entire state, according to a Baltimore Banner report. The list was later retracted.

In a statement, Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said the county was not a sanctuary jurisdiction and believes its inclusion on the list was in error.

"Our Office of Law is currently contacting the Department of Justice to correct this mistake. Public safety remains a top priority, where we practice community policing — an approach proven to enhance safety by encouraging cooperation with law enforcement at varying levels," Klausmeier said. "We will continue to support our valued law enforcement personnel while following federal, state, and local laws.

"We work every day to ensure Baltimore County government meets the needs of residents by providing essential services and access to public resources," she said. "These are the building blocks of healthy and thriving communities, and areas of focus that can and should be strengthened."

The government lists nine characteristics of sanctuary jurisdictions. They are:

Public Declarations — Cities, states or counties that publicly declare themselves a sanctuary jurisdiction or equivalent, with the intent to undermine federal immigration enforcement.
Laws, Ordinances, Executive Directives — Cities, states or counties that have laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, policies or other formalized practices that obstruct or limit local law enforcement cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Restrictions On Information Sharing — Cities, states or counties that limit whether and how local agencies share information about the immigration status of detainees with federal authorities.
Funding Restrictions — Cities, states or counties that prohibit local funds or resources from being used to support federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Non-Cooperation With Federal Immigration Enforcement — Cities, states or counties that provide training to city employees and police on enforcing sanctuary policies and declining to respond to ICE requests for information.
Limits On ICE Detainers — Cities, states or counties that refuse to honor ICE detainer requests unless there is a warrant signed by a judge.
Jail Access Restrictions — Cities, states or counties that restrict ICE agents’ ability to interview detainees absent detainee consent.
Immigrant Community Affairs Offices — Cities, states or counties that create dedicated offices to engage and advise illegal alien communities on evading federal law enforcement officers.
Federal Benefit Programs — Cities, states or counties that circumvent federal laws prohibiting the provision of federal benefits to illegal aliens and provide them with access to benefits, including health care assistance, legal aid, food and housing assistance, and other subsidies. This includes cities, states, or counties that establish stand-alone benefit programs or equivalents.