Appearing in Annapolis March 27 to protest legislation that curbs how local police work with federal immigration officers were (L to R) Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli, Del. Wayne Hartman, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, and Somerset County Sheriff Ronnie Howard.
Lower Shore sheriffs and legislators showed up in Annapolis last week to oppose proposed legislation that would strip sheriffs of their ability to forge voluntary working agreements with federal immigration authorities.
At issue is that House Bill 1222 would prevent local police from entering into any immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government, and that agencies with such agreements in place must give them up by July 1.
It also requires members of law enforcement, if requested by federal immigration authorities, to provide 48 hours’ notice before releasing someone who’s both the subject of an active immigration detainer request and has been convicted of a violent crime.
The bill has cleared the House of Delegates and is now under consideration by the Senate. The 2025 Legislative Session ends Monday at midnight.
“That’s a very dangerous slope, when legislation starts telling law enforcement who they can and cannot communicate with,” Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said March 28 in a radio interview with WGMD-FM.
Crisafulli made an appearance outside the Maryland State House on March 27 alongside Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis and Somerset County Sheriff Ronnie Howard, as well as local lawmakers Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) and Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C).
“We’re very hopeful that this will not pass,” Crisafulli told WGMD. “At the end of the day, if something like this were to pass – and I’m just going to say this theoretically – I’m not going to let Annapolis tell me who I can work with, as far as law enforcement partners to keep my community safe.”
Crisafulli also said he recognized the outcry from those who fear cops would stop people on the street and inquire about their immigration status. Not so, Crisafulli said.
“That’s illegal. That’s a huge civil rights violation,” he said, adding this program “should not place fear in a community, it should make a community feel safe.”
Arrest governor Mooron the first time there is interference with federal officials!
seems carooza loves getting her picture taken but do dont crap for us in annapolis! just another adams getting her grift on most likely!