U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the field in a 2019 file photo. A new poll shows a large majority of Marylanders support seeing local police work with federal officials on immigration enforcement. Photo courtesy Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A majority of Marylanders support requiring local officials to cooperate with federal efforts to arrest and deport noncitizens in the state who have committed crimes, according to a poll released Wednesday.
Incoming President Donald Trump has vowed to make enforcement of immigration laws — including the threat of mass deportations — a priority during the next four years. In Maryland, 76% of those surveyed in a poll by Annapolis-based Gonzales Research & Media said they would support requiring local governments to cooperate with federal efforts.
Gonzales surveyed 811 registered voters who said they are likely to vote in the next election. The poll asked voters about cooperation with enforcement of immigration laws, the job performance of President Joe Biden as well as views on Trump, and the direction of the country.
The poll, conducted between Dec. 27-Jan. 4, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.
A poll released Tuesday asked voters about Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) job performance and other issues including the use of taxes to resolve the budget deficit and a potential match-up for governor between Moore and Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan.
In Wednesday’s poll results, support for requiring local cooperation with federal law enforcement came from across the political spectrum.
Maryland Republicans were by far the largest bloc with 96% saying they would support such a requirement. Among indepedent voters, 77% also said they would support cooperation.
In Maryland, registered Democrats hold a roughly 2-1 registration advantage over Republicans. In the Gonzales poll, 65% said they would support required cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Maryland voters like Biden, dislike Trump
The poll also asked voters about the job performance of both President Joe Biden and former President Trump, who will be sworn in to his second term on Jan 20.
In the poll, 55% said they approved of the job done by Biden, statistically flat compared to results in a September Gonzales poll when roughly 53% said they approved of Biden’s efforts.
Trump, unsurprisingly, does not fare so well among blue-state Maryland voters. Of those surveyed, 58% said they disapprove of the once and future president, including 51% who said they “strongly disapprove” of Trump.
The Republican president-elect lost Maryland to Vice President Kamala Harris (D) in November by a nearly 29-point margin.
“The good vibes and mojo he’s been enjoying across the country recently haven’t really found their way here to the Old Line State,” pollster Patrick Gonzales said.
Election drives pessimistic outlook
Marylanders are also more pessimistic about the direction of the country as Trump’s second inauguration draws near.
In the poll, 59% of those surveyed said the country was moving in the wrong direction. In September, one in every two people asked said the country was headed in the right direction.
Gonzales attributed the change to the results of the 2024 election
“The answer is simple: Politics presently in the United States is a sporting event — my team wins, I’m happy; my team loses, I’m sad,” Gonzales said.
by Bryan P. Sears, Maryland Matters
January 8, 2025
Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: [email protected].
Constance Pullen says
Several years ago when Trump was rounding up immigrants our Easton Town council enacted Easton as a Welcoming city. Restricting IcEs ability to work with local police and not to be able to enter the schools. This designation should still be on the books and hopefully followed.
David Loeser says
Ms Pullen, I would love to hear an explanation of your position. My guess is you don’t have children in the public school system where classrooms are overwhelmed by non-english speakers. Most of those non-english speakers are in our country illegally where our tax dollars are diverted from OUR children to provide all sorts of resources that could make our schools more effective. Check out the english and math proficiency stats if you are not familiar, its pathetic. When the mismanaged budget in Annapolis results in tax increases again, we will all want to know where those tax dollars have been going. While you are doing some research, perhaps take a look at how sanctuary cities have done with crime, homelessness, and catastrophic diversion of resources (ie: Los Angeles). There is absolutely nothing humane about illegal alien sanctuary policies.
The Rt. Rev. Joel Marcus Johnson, Anglican Bishop of The Chesapeake, Ret. says
Easton has long enjoyed a nurturing relationship with its hard-working immigrant and refugee community. The long eye of history goes to December 1994 when English and Spanish speaking Anglicans, on a Sunday following a shared language Mass for the Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe, worshippers were given license to march from St. Andrew’s Chapel to what is now The Ebenezer Theater. There, the shared-heritage congregation hosted a free Latin American luncheon to all Easton diners, along with lively entertainment.
This event was but a few weeks following federal immigration agents raiding a large Easton apartment complex, with military efficiency cordoning off much of the town’s First Ward. Many of its Hispanic residents fled to this writer’s home for succor. In its aftermath, at my request, Easton Police declined to participate in such tragic raids. As well, the Superintendent of the Maryland State Police agreed with my proposal to decline further such raid support, an activity to be left to the Federal Marshals Service.
Let us hope and pray that good will prevails, and that federal authorities do not scar the amity of Easton and of Talbot County.