Talbot County has unexpectedly been named one of several Maryland jurisdictions designated as a “sanctuary” by the Trump administration—a move that could put federal funding at risk and place the county in the middle of a national immigration debate.
The announcement came Thursday as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to pressure local governments into supporting federal immigration enforcement. The list includes Baltimore County, Montgomery County, Queen Anne’s County, and the cities of Annapolis, Rockville, and Takoma Park, among others.
The designation follows an executive order directing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to identify localities that, in the administration’s view, do not fully cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The purpose is to cut off federal funds to jurisdictions that limit their involvement in immigration enforcement.
Talbot County’s inclusion raises questions. The county has not adopted any formal policy that restricts cooperation with ICE, and immigration issues have rarely been a topic of discussion in local government or public debate. Still, the Trump administration appears to be interpreting “non-cooperation” broadly.
The designation carries potential consequences. Talbot, like many rural counties, relies on federal grants for programs ranging from public safety and infrastructure to housing and health services. Even the threat of losing those funds could complicate budget planning and long-term community investments.
Matt LaMotte says
I don’t know when everyone’s going to figure this out, but this is NOT the Trump Administration! It was Musk and Stephen Miller’s. Now, just the latter. Just sayin’…
Bob Kopec says
Trump, a convicted felon for rape and tax cheating. A draft dodger (5X), a wife cheater (3X), a liar (25,000+ lies as reported by CNN & Washington Post fact checking teams during his first term) many bankruptcies, 25 failed businesses, corrupt, pardons murderers & felons, etc. Why is he still in the W.H? Why isn’t he in prison?
Constance W Pullen says
Shortly after Rumps first term in office the Easton town council passed a bill designating Easton as a welcoming city. This is a bit different than a Sanctuary city but it does include not allowing UCE agents in the Easton school unless they have a warrant, also the Easton Police department would not assist ICE agents in any type of round up of Immigrants. At the time Talbot Rising worked with The Multicultural Center and Matthew Peter’s to assure that all Talbot County Children had a definite place to go if their parents were taken. I believe although I was not involved in the process , we have again secured documents for all children who might be at risk of parental deportations.
I imagine the information gathered by the Rump administration was from law enforcement departments in the county and they may have mixed up the Town and County .
Barbara Perry says
Well let’s see if our Congressman, Andy, will try to remove this designation from Talbot and Queen Anne’s Counties. Or, does he agree with the administration.
Maggie MacNamara says
This might have something to do with Andy summoned by tRump because he said the Bill had a way to go. Then Harris voted “Present” instead of “Yes”
Mickey Terrone says
I don’t suppose any specifics were included in this announcement about how Talbot County was added to this list. In a fascist state, the government doesn’t really need to substantiate its claims because its subjects don’t have much of any legal recourse anyway.
I suppose next week we could be threatened to lose federal funding because some transgender kid was allowed to compete in some athletic event. Maybe our local ICE Gestapo is falling behind on its quota and needs to deputize some local thugs to round up some of their fellow citizens of color. That many arrests of law-abiding immigrants are being made by masked agents around the country should remind everyone of the 1930’s in Germany.
That American society is descending down into this depth of depravity is a testament to Donald Trump and his Republican lemmings. I suppose Republican voters are really pleased with themselves for putting such a strong leader in the White House. They can take full credit for losing their Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid benefits, too, so that billionaires can keep hundreds of millions more.
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says
DHS’ announcement is ludicrous and egregious in its predication for the racist purposes of President Donald Trump’s fascist state immigrant roundup and remigration movement. In fact, DHS casts doubt on its own announcement in its final sentence: “No one should act on this information without conducting their own evaluation of the information.”
This announcement obviously is meant to panic local officials into such premature genuflections as creating agreements between local law enforcement and ICE, or the creation of posse comitatus groups.
The Talbot County Council needs our support. As it already has had one brush with DHS/ICE hysteria, it is likely to encounter another.
Totch Hartge says
I do not know what I will do if I come across one of these raids, but it will be as uncooperative as possible. Camera at the ready
Totch Hartge
Easton
Mad Vietnam Vet
Michael Pullen says
Timothy Snyder wrote a brilliant, short book, “On Tyranny, Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century” that talks about how tyranny takes root in democracies.
The first lesson he draws from 20th century tragedies is, “Do Not Consent in Advance.” Tyranny takes hold when it pushes against the limits of a free society and meets no resistance. Consenting in advance doesn’t resolve the problem, it invites still more
Existing, lawfully appropriated funding must be provided as called for is the only appropriate and acceptable response.
Dictators determine who’s in and who’s out, who’s favored and who’s not. Cow towing in hopes of getting favors is the wrong way to handle bullying and threats.
The law firms that stood up to this administration’s intimidation, Harvard’ refusal to consent to it in advance are clear and strong examples of the right response. Snyder’s book explains the unfortunate and sometimes tragic results when the cowardly alternative is chosen instead.
All the counties should band together, present a unified front and require the federal government to honor their financial commitments.
Call the bluff, stand up and be counted.