Maryland County Bans ICE Officers from Public Jobs
Montgomery County passes law restricting ICE and CBP staff from holding government roles.
2 min read
Montgomery County, Maryland, has passed a law banning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers from holding public government jobs. The Community Trust in County Employees Act, sponsored by Councilmember Kristin Mink (D), was unanimously approved by the county council. The law prohibits individuals who worked for ICE or CBP on or after October 1, 2025, from being employed in sensitive roles across multiple departments, including the police department, libraries, and fire and rescue services.
Scope of the Ban
The law also extends to contractors or employees of other federal agencies who were assigned to support or participate in immigration enforcement during the same period. Any applicant who discloses such employment on a county job application would be disqualified from holding positions deemed sensitive. Mink emphasized the need to protect residents from a federal administration she described as lawless, stating, “It is incumbent on us to take every step that we can to demonstrate that here, we have our residents’ backs and we are drawing lines in the sand.”
Exceptions and Support
The amended version of Mink’s bill includes exceptions for whistleblowers and individuals who worked for the federal government for six months or fewer. It also allows CBP agents who worked in offices focused on trade, international relations, and scientific and laboratory research to be exempt. Montgomery County Executive-elect Will Jawando expressed support for the bill, stating, “No Montgomery County resident should hesitate to call 911, visit a clinic, or seek help.”
Public Safety and Trust
Jawando highlighted the importance of public trust, saying, “When our residents are afraid of who might show up at their door, county government cannot do its job.” The law reflects growing concerns over the role of federal immigration enforcement and its impact on local public services. The decision underscores a broader trend of local governments taking steps to distance themselves from federal policies that they perceive as undermining community trust and safety.
Source: Breitbart
