Maryland Democrats have introduced legislation that would bar ICE agents hired during Trump’s second term from ever serving in state law enforcement positions, marking an unprecedented attack on federal immigration officers who answered the call to secure America’s borders.
Democratic Assault on Border Security Personnel
Delegate Adrian Boafo introduced the “ICE Breaker Act of 2026” on January 14, specifically targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers hired after Trump’s inauguration. The Prince George’s County Democrat argues that anyone who joined ICE during Trump’s second term lacks the moral character necessary for Maryland law enforcement positions. This discriminatory approach exempts pre-2025 ICE agents while branding their newer colleagues as unfit for public service based solely on their hiring date.
Partisan Motivation Behind Anti-ICE Crusade
Boafo drafted the legislation following a Washington Post report on Trump’s $100 million ICE recruitment strategy, which Democrats characterized as “wartime recruitment” targeting military veterans with aggressive rhetoric. The timing reveals the bill’s true purpose: punishing federal agents who responded to America’s immigration crisis during Trump’s presidency. Maryland Democrats, wielding supermajorities in the General Assembly, are positioning this as part of a broader anti-ICE package that includes banning 287(g) cooperation programs between federal and local authorities.
Law Enforcement Community Pushback
Republican lawmakers and police leaders have condemned the legislation as politically motivated discrimination against experienced federal agents. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel questioned the bill’s legality, calling it questionable political posturing that creates “messy” precedents. Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler labeled the proposal as “hate” driven by “Trump derangement,” while Delegate Kathy Szeliga dismissed it as a “dumb” partisan litmus test that ignores valuable training and experience these federal agents bring to law enforcement.
Constitutional Concerns and Federal Response
The National Police Association’s Betsy Smith questioned the discriminatory intent behind penalizing federal service, highlighting potential constitutional violations. ICE officials defended their officers as community protectors, noting that assaults on ICE agents have increased by 1,150 percent due to inflammatory political rhetoric. This Maryland legislation mirrors similar resistance efforts nationwide, including California’s attempts to ban masked federal agents, which the Trump administration has already challenged in court as federal overreach by state governments.
The bill represents a dangerous precedent of politicizing law enforcement hiring based on when officers served their country. If passed, Maryland would lose access to a valuable pool of experienced federal agents while sending a chilling message that serving under conservative administrations makes officers unfit for future employment. This assault on professional law enforcement undermines public safety and reveals the lengths to which liberal politicians will go to obstruct immigration enforcement.
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