Trump Administration Labels Baltimore City As 'Sanctuary Jurisdiction'
Trump Administration Labels Baltimore City As ‘Sanctuary Jurisdiction’
The Trump administration has designated eight Maryland counties and Baltimore City as “sanctuary jurisdictions,” according to a list published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The DHS defines sanctuary jurisdictions as areas that “deliberately and shamefully obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws,” which they claim puts American communities at risk. The agency’s list includes over 500 jurisdictions nationwide that, in its view, fail to cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
In Maryland, the following counties were named:
- Anne Arundel
- Baltimore
- Charles
- Howard
- Montgomery
- Prince George’s
- Queen Anne’s
- Talbot
Additionally, 10 cities made the list:
- Annapolis
- Baltimore City
- Cheverly
- College Park
- Edmonston
- Greenbelt
- Hyattsville
- Mount Rainier
- Rockville
- Takoma Park
According to DHS, areas are categorized as sanctuary jurisdictions based on various criteria, including the extent of cooperation with federal immigration authorities and the presence of legal protections for undocumented immigrants. The department is urging all listed jurisdictions to review and amend their policies to comply with federal immigration laws, WBALTV reports.
However, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott pushed back on the city’s inclusion in the report. In a statement released Thursday night, Scott clarified that Baltimore does not control its detention facilities, which are managed by the state. As a result, he argued, Baltimore does not meet the criteria for a sanctuary city.
“To be clear: By definition, Baltimore is not a sanctuary city because we do not have jurisdiction over our jails,” Scott said. “We follow our limited obligations as defined under federal immigration law.”
Still, the mayor reaffirmed Baltimore’s commitment to being a welcoming city.
“We are better because of our immigrant neighbors, and we are not about to sell them out to this administration,” Scott added. “Baltimore remains committed to protecting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all our residents.”
He also noted that the city is exploring legal avenues to defend both its immigrant community and its federal funding, which could be at risk under the Trump administration’s policies.
Earlier in January, Mayor Scott said his administration would look into legal protections after federal officials suggested immigration raids could extend to schools, hospitals, and places of worship. At that time, Scott had not issued any specific directives to city agencies in response.
Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh made similar statements in 2017, also rejecting the sanctuary city label based on the state-run nature of local detention facilities.
Trump Administration Labels Baltimore City As ‘Sanctuary Jurisdiction’ was originally published on wolbbaltimore.com
