By Joseph Kutcher
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Three Democrats who are running for county executive in 2026 are criticizing local officials for signing an agreement with federal authorities to collaborate on immigration enforcement.
Nick Stewart, a Democrat who is running for county executive next year, urged residents to contact their council members and demand public hearings on the issue.
“Baltimore County’s partnership with ICE undermines community safety and erodes trust between residents and law enforcement,” Stewart said. “We cannot allow policies that make families afraid to call for help or report a crime.”
Councilman Izzy Patoka, D-District 2, said the council was not informed before the county entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which was announced by the Department of Justice on Oct. 31. He called it an administrative decision made by the County Executive’s Office, stating his concerns about transparency.
“To residents who are concerned that this change could increase cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, we want them to know that our office stands firmly with Baltimore County’s immigrant community,” said Patoka, who is also running for county executive next year. “No one should feel unsafe reaching out to county agencies, schools or officials.”
Patoka said he plans to pursue legislation to strengthen protections for immigrants, including making the Office of Immigrant Affairs permanent.
Councilman Mike Ertel, D-District 6, said immigration reform should come from the federal level.
“I think many people agree that law-abiding, hard-working immigrants should not be arrested merely because of their immigration status,” said Ertel, another county executive candidate in 2026. “Personally, I believe that the federal government needs to address immigration law especially when it comes to people who have lived and worked in the U.S. for many years. There needs to be a path for current dreamers, undocumented children who have grown up and gone to school in the U.S., to become legal.”
The DOJ announced last month that Baltimore County had been removed from the DOJ’s list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” after the County Executive’s Office signed the MOU.
The Trump administration has designated any city or county that does not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement a “sanctuary jurisdiction.”
The County Executive’s Office said the signed MOU with the DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security confirms procedures already in place since 2024. It requires the county to notify federal officials before releasing anyone in custody who is subject to an immigration detainer or judicial warrant.
A sanctuary jurisdiction inclusion on the DOJ’s list can jeopardize federal funding, which the county said influenced its decision to sign the MOU.
“Baltimore County continues to prioritize public safety while also respecting the constitutional rights of all residents,” the county said in a statement. “This agreement makes no changes to the Baltimore County Department of Corrections’ standard practices and aligns Baltimore County with peer jurisdictions throughout Maryland.”
County officials maintain the MOU simply preserves federal funding and formalizes existing corrections practices. Some argue it signals closer cooperation with ICE and could harm community trust.
No Maryland jurisdictions remain on the DOJ’s sanctuary list. Nationwide, only three counties are still listed.