Days before Maryland’s general assembly returns for a new session, there is a new proposal to bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and agents from law enforcement positions within the state’s government if they joined ICE after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
It’s called the ICE Breaker Act of 2026.
“Everywhere I go in my district, folks are asking, what are we going to do about ICE?” said Del. Adrian Boafo of District 23. “There’s only so much the state can do, but you know what I could do? Make sure that those ICE officers never have a job here in the state of Maryland. You want to work for any other industry in Maryland, sure.”
Boafo says he created the legislation before an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 7.
“What we’re saying in Maryland is that any ICE officer, sworn agent who saw the horrific violence that’s been happening over the last year and said, ‘You know what, I want to join that work,’ we don’t want you to work at any point in time as police officers, law enforcement officers,” Boafo said.
Boafo says this legislation would prevent anyone who chose to join ICE after Jan. 20, 2025 — the date of Trump’s return to the White House — from serving in law enforcement positions within the Maryland State Government. The bill would not prohibit ICE officers and agents from working in other areas of state government.
“Anyone who joined ICE before the inauguration of Donald Trump, anyone who actually swore the oath to try and protect the border, and actually go after violent offenders is not affected,” Baofo said. “You are welcome to Maryland with open arms.”
For months, ICE has increased its recruitment efforts, often turning to social media and even offering incentives like a $50,000 hiring bonus, telework, tuition reimbursement and transportation subsidies.
News4 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security about the proposed bill and is still waiting for a response.
Boafo says he plans to introduce the legislation next week after the General Assembly returns for the new session.
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