Across Maryland, counties and universities boost revenue through ICE contracts

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland—As Maryland counties and universities face increasing pressure to end their partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cecil County’s is recently “operational,” according to an ICE spokeswoman.

Cecil is one of three Maryland counties — with Frederick and Harford — that currently have what are known as 287(g) agreements with the federal agency. Through these agreements, ICE trains and authorizes police officers at local detention centers to screen inmates for breaking immigration laws.

Two Cecil County officers completed a four-week training in September, ICE spokeswoman Kate Pote said.

Though the 287(g) training programs do not come with federal funds, other programs with the immigration agency — to house inmates, and train ICE employees — have brought in millions in revenue to a few Maryland localities and universities.

Three counties — Frederick, Howard and Worcester — have Intergovernmental Service Agreements with ICE, through which they rent out jail space for immigrant detention. While activists across the state are seeking to end these agreements, officials say the revenue is worth it.

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