Led By County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha, Elected Officials Across Maryland Sign Letter In Support of The Community Trust Act

More than 80 elected officials across Maryland have joined forces in a growing statewide push to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, marking one of the most coordinated public stands against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in recent years.

**Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy And Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha**

Led by Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha, the coalition submitted a formal letter on April 2 to leadership in the Maryland General Assembly urging immediate passage of the Community Trust Act (HB1575/SB791). The legislation would require a judicial warrant for immigration-related detentions and prohibit local law enforcement agencies from using their resources to assist with federal civil immigration enforcement.

The letter, backed by eight additional Prince George’s County Council members, County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy, and leaders from multiple jurisdictions including Baltimore City and municipalities across seven counties, underscores a sense of urgency as the legislative session nears its close.

“These are not normal times,” Oriadha said in the statement, emphasizing the need for swift action to ensure due process and protect families from what she described as an unreliable federal enforcement system.

The proposed Community Trust Act reflects a broader movement across Maryland—and particularly within Prince George’s County—to redefine the relationship between local government and federal immigration authorities. Advocates argue that limiting cooperation with ICE strengthens trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, encouraging residents to report crimes and engage with public services without fear of deportation.

Prince George’s County has already taken several steps in that direction. In February 2026, County Executive Braveboy signed Executive Order No. 9-2026, establishing an immediate moratorium on the use of any county property as an immigration detention center. The order, supported by members of the County Council and regional leaders, signaled a clear policy stance: local resources should not be used to facilitate federal immigration detention efforts.

Additionally, county leaders have used public platforms and legislative actions to reinforce protections for immigrant communities. The County Council is expected to advance its own legislative package aimed at limiting cooperation with ICE, complementing state-level efforts and reinforcing local autonomy on immigration-related matters.

At the state level, Maryland lawmakers have increasingly aligned with these priorities. In recent sessions, legislators have introduced measures to expand due process protections for immigrants, restrict information-sharing between local agencies and federal immigration authorities, and ensure that detainers are honored only when accompanied by judicial warrants.

The growing coalition behind the Community Trust Act reflects mounting concern among local officials about the social and economic impacts of aggressive immigration enforcement. Prince George’s County, one of the most diverse jurisdictions in the state, is home to a large immigrant population that contributes significantly to the region’s workforce, small business sector, and cultural vitality.

Supporters of the legislation argue that policies fostering “community trust” are not only a matter of civil rights but also of public safety and economic stability. By drawing a clear line between local governance and federal immigration enforcement, they say, Maryland can create a more inclusive environment while maintaining effective law enforcement practices.

With just days remaining in the legislative session, the pressure is now on the General Assembly to act. For leaders like Oriadha and Braveboy, the message is clear: Maryland must move decisively to protect its residents and define its own approach to immigration policy—one rooted in due process, dignity, and community trust.