Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler of Harford County, Maryland testified before Congress this week that the state's sanctuary city policies are undermining public safety and disregarding lessons learned from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Gahler is leading a coalition of 17 of Maryland's 24 counties in a lawsuit challenging the Moore administration's sanctuary policies, arguing they limit cooperation between local sheriffs and federal immigration authorities.
The testimony came as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Gahler, questioned by Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, said the legislation passed by Maryland's General Assembly contradicts post-9/11 security principles that emphasized communication between law enforcement agencies at all levels of government.
"When you pass legislation in a world post-9/11 – in 9/11 we learned that we need to communicate with all federal partners to keep our community safe," Gahler said. "Yet, we in our state see fit to pass legislation to say we can't communicate with this law enforcement or that law enforcement."
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic supporters of Maryland's Community Trust Act argue the legislation is designed to build trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, making all residents more likely to report crimes. Gov. Wes Moore signed the ban on 287(g) agreements earlier this year, allowing a broader immigration bill to become law without his signature.
State Sen. Clarence Lam, D-Elkridge, who authored the Community Trust Act, has argued that limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement allows local police to focus resources on reducing crime rather than serving as de facto federal immigration agents. Moore has said the Community Trust Act advances important goals by keeping law enforcement focused on crime reduction.
Democrats have also raised concerns about the resource implications of honoring ICE detainers, questioning whether working with federal immigration authorities takes away from local communities. The legislation reflects a broader debate over whether local police should be involved in civil immigration enforcement.
What the Right Is Saying
Gahler called Maryland's sanctuary laws "stupidity at its best" and described them as "pro-criminal." He told lawmakers that the Community Trust Act has changed what his deputies can do when federal immigration authorities want to take custody of someone being released from local detention, sometimes requiring them to release individuals they believe could pose a danger rather than holding them for federal authorities.
The Harford County sheriff pointed to cases in his jurisdiction where illegal immigrants allegedly committed violent crimes. In 2023 and 2022, local women Rachel Morin and Kayla Hamilton were murdered by illegal immigrants in Harford County, according to Gahler's testimony.
Gahler argued that illegal immigrants who become "petty criminals" should be removed rather than limiting enforcement to cases involving more serious offenses. "That's 100% what I believe," he said when asked by Gill whether such individuals should be deported regardless of the severity of their crimes.
What the Numbers Show
Maryland's Community Trust Act prohibits law enforcement and corrections officials from questioning immigration status, detaining suspects to investigate citizenship or immigration status, or detaining individuals because police believe they committed a civil immigration violation. The law also bans law enforcement from notifying federal immigration authorities that a detainee is in their custody unless required by a court order, rather than simply an ICE detainer.
The lawsuit involves 17 of Maryland's 24 counties, representing a significant portion of the state's jurisdictions. Gov. Wes Moore faces a gubernatorial rematch against former Del. Dan Cox, R-Frederick, in the upcoming election cycle.
The Bottom Line
The legal challenge to Maryland's sanctuary policies is likely to proceed through state courts, where sheriffs argue they are prevented from pursuing public safety goals in cases involving individuals sought by federal immigration authorities. The case could have implications for similar sanctuary laws in other states if it reaches higher courts.
What to watch: Whether the lawsuit gains traction in Maryland courts, how Gov. Moore and Democratic lawmakers respond to the congressional testimony, and whether the issue becomes a focal point in the upcoming gubernatorial race. The 25th anniversary of 9/11 may amplify debates over law enforcement cooperation at all government levels.