A Democrat from the state of Maryland has introduced a new bill that would stop U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from being hired for state or local law enforcement positions. The new legislation, which is called the “ICE Breaker Act of 2026,” is being sponsored by Maryland State Del. Adrian Boafo. If the bill becomes law, it would prevent ICE agents hired under the Trump administration from being hired to work as police officers.
“This year, I introduced legislation to ensure ICE officers can never serve in any of Maryland’s police forces,” Boafo stated in a post on X. “Why? Because they are not trained, they are not qualified, and Marylanders deserve people who will protect them. I’ll introduce similar legislation in Congress.” Betsy Smith, a spokesperson for the National Police Association, slammed Boafo’s legislation and noted that it seems as if he “wants people to believe that an ICE agent can just come into their town” and become a cop as soon as “tomorrow.”
“It sounds as though this politician wants people to believe that an ICE agent can just come into their town and tomorrow be a patrol officer in their town… it’s simply ridiculous,” Smith said in response to Boafo’s bill. Smith then noted that there are “rigorous hiring processes for local law enforcement.” The Maryland Democrat then said that “everywhere” he goes in Maryland’s District 23, he’s asked by constituents what he plans to do about ICE.
“There’s only so much the state can do, but you know what I could do?” Boafo explained in a statement. “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.” He then clarified that if an agent applying for a law enforcement position was hired in before President Donald Trump took office in January 2025 they would “not be affected” by the bill, according to Breitbart.
“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 continued. While the bill prevents those who joined ICE following Trump’s inauguration to have any sort of law enforcement career within the Maryland State Government, it does not ban those officers from working in other areas of the 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,” Boafo added. “You are welcome to Maryland with open arms.” Maryland State Del. Matt Morgan, a Republican, responded to the proposed legislation by calling it an “unserious” and “stupid bill for the purpose of political pandering.” Morgan, in a post published on social media platform X, then asked, “What about ICE agents hired under Biden or Obama?”
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