Maryland Congressman Says He Supports Efforts To 'Push Back' On ICE Raids In Congress

By FOX45
Posted on 01/28/25 | News Source: FOX45

Annapolis, MD - Jan. 28, 2025 - Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey released a statement on recent raids on places of worship by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“It is shocking that the Trump Administration is now targeting churches and other places of worship for ICE raids. This cruelty not only contradicts longstanding ICE policy, but the idea of armed law enforcement dragging out worshippers violates the right to attend religious services at sacred spaces protected by the First Amendment. The risk of racial profiling makes this unconscionable defiance of basic constitutional protections even worse. That’s why I support efforts to push back in Congress and in the courts,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey, (MD-04), via a press release.

Ivey's statement comes after Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown released guidance for local and state law enforcement on their role in federal immigration policies.

According to the guidance, law enforcement officers:

• Cannot inquire about immigration status during routine police work unless relevant to a criminal investigation;
• Must not extend detentions to investigate immigration status;
• May share citizenship/immigration status with federal officials but are not required to do so;
• Cannot share personal information (names, addresses) with federal immigration authorities without a judicial warrant;
• Risk civil liability if they hold individuals on immigration detainers without probable cause; and
• Are prohibited from contracting with private immigration detention facilities.

Brown's statement also notes that while the guidance itself is for law enforcement use, he "wants Marylanders to have access to the document for informational purposes."

The guidance also notes that Maryland law specifically limits certain enforcement activities involving federal immigration law at the state and local levels.

ICE raids have become a topic of conversation around the country since President Donald Trump took office, and aims to fulfill his campaign promise of reducing the amount of illegal immigrants in the United States, and stricter border control.

In other major cities, like Chicago, local law enforcement seems to be pushing back against federal agents.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement began posting daily updates on its enforcement efforts last Thursday, just a few days after Trump took office.

Over the four days reported so far, ICE and its partner agencies have made nearly 2,400 arrests and lodged nearly 1,800 detainers.

Nearly 1,000 people were arrested in ICE operations on Sunday alone.