Jaskiewicz Voices Support for ICE Cooperation Amid Maryland 287(g) Controversy

As debate intensifies across Maryland regarding changes to 287(g) agreements, sheriff candidate Nick Jaskiewicz has publicly clarified his position on cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

The 287(g) program, authorized under federal law, allows state and local law enforcement agencies to enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to perform certain immigration enforcement functions. Recent policy shifts and differing interpretations of the program’s scope have generated controversy among local officials and advocacy groups statewide.

Jaskiewicz stated that he supports honoring ICE detainer requests when individuals have been arrested for criminal offenses. Aligning himself with Maryland sheriffs such as Mike Lewis and Jimmy DeWees, he emphasized that cooperation with federal authorities should be rooted in public safety, not broad immigration enforcement.

“We are not targeting individuals who have committed no crime,” Jaskiewicz said in a public statement. “However, when someone commits a crime, we gather all relevant information and cooperate with federal partners.”

The candidate underscored that his position is centered on criminal conduct rather than immigration status alone. He framed cooperation with ICE as part of standard interagency coordination, similar to how local departments work with federal agencies on narcotics, firearms, or fugitive investigations.

Critics of expanded 287(g) participation argue that such agreements can strain community trust, particularly within immigrant populations, and blur the line between local policing and federal immigration enforcement. Supporters counter that honoring detainers for individuals charged with crimes strengthens public safety and ensures that repeat offenders are not released without federal review.

Jaskiewicz also addressed concerns about potential friction between local and federal agencies, stating that he would not pursue policies that create “unnecessary division” with federal law enforcement partners. He characterized intergovernmental cooperation as essential to effective policing.

The issue is expected to remain a focal point in local law enforcement discussions as Maryland jurisdictions continue to evaluate their roles in federal immigration partnerships.