February 17, 2026
Vernon L. Liggins
287g Field Program Manager -DDO
Baltimore Field Office
Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Dear Mr. Liggins:
I am writing on behalf of Wicomico County to formally notify the Department of Homeland Security of our intent to withdraw from participation in the 287(g) Warrant Service Officer (WSO) model.
This withdrawal is compelled solely by newly enacted State of Maryland legislation signed into law today that prohibits these agreements. It is not the result of any failure, deficiency, or concern with the program itself. To the contrary, the program has functioned exactly as intended and has
supported our public safety mission. However, as a political subdivision of the State, we are being forced to comply with state law regardless of the real-world consequences for our community.
We do so under protest and with profound frustration. Wicomico County entered the 287(g) program based on evidence, operational experience, and our fundamental duty to protect the residents we serve. The implementation across the state has been lawful, measured, and limited
to individuals already within the correctional system. The program worked. The outcomes were clear. The public safety benefit was real.
It is both astonishing and deeply disappointing that the Maryland General Assembly chose to override local judgment, local data, and local accountability in favor of a sweeping statewide mandate driven far more by political calculation than operational reality. This decision strips local governments of a lawful, effective tool while those making the decision bear none of the
responsibility for the consequences. The impact will not be felt in Annapolis hearing rooms — it will be felt in county detention centers, in law enforcement operations, and in the communities now left with fewer practical tools to maintain public safety.
While we will comply with state law, our compliance must not be mistaken for agreement, acceptance, or support. We fundamentally oppose the State’s decision and believe it places political priorities ahead of the practical safety needs of Maryland communities.
Please provide guidance regarding the process and timeline required to formally conclude our participation in the WSO model.
We remain sincerely appreciative of the professionalism, partnership, and cooperation demonstrated by your personnel throughout our participation in this program. It is deeply regrettable that a state-level policy decision — wholly disconnected from operational reality on the ground — has forced the termination of what has been a productive and responsible public
safety partnership.
Respectfully,
WICOMICO COUNTY, MARYLAND
julie M. Giordano
County Executive
We have been involved with other Johns Hopkins University faculty and at least a dozen churches and Quaker meetings in helping IRC furnish affordable apartments in Baltimore City for hundreds of Afghan refugee families. These terrified escapees from the Taliban worked for our university (and my agency JHPIEGO), translated for our US military, worked for USAID and other US development groups and were targeted for death by the Taliban. All adults are now working one or more jobs, children have been enrolled and excelling in our schools, and many teens are entering our community colleges or universities. They have all kept appointments with courts and are on route to becoming US citizens. None that we know of have committed any crimes but have been good, shy neighbors in their communities.
We hope that our well-trained law enforcement agencies in our Maryland counties understand the dismay we elder, long-term citizens (who have lived and worked overseas) will feel if ICE begins to round up our Afghan friends for deportation. Please follow our State laws and our national constitution and defend these newcomers!