Harford Sheriff Tells Congress Maryland’s Sanctuary Law Ignores 9/11 Lessons

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler told Congress that Maryland’s sanctuary city policies disregard lessons learned from the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, as he leads a lawsuit joined by 17 of Maryland’s 24 counties against the state’s sanctuary law.

Gahler, whose county was the site of the 2023 murder of Rachel Morin and the 2022 murder of Kayla Hamilton, both allegedly committed by illegal immigrants, testified before lawmakers about limits the state has placed on cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.

Responding to questioning from Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, about why he has described Maryland’s sanctuary laws as “pro-criminal,” Gahler pointed to the years since the 9/11 attacks.

“There’s just many things that [Annapolis’] legislature has done over the past eight years or so, unfortunately, rang into that bell. But when you pass legislation in a world post-9/11 – in 9/11 we learned that we need to communicate with … all federal partners to keep our community safe,” Gahler said.

“Yet, we in our state see fit to pass legislation to say we can’t communicate with this law enforcement or that law enforcement. It’s stupidity at its best.”

Gahler told lawmakers the law has changed what his deputies can do when federal immigration authorities seek custody of someone being released from local detention, saying the restrictions can force deputies to release people they consider dangerous rather than hold them for federal pickup.

Several other sheriffs who joined the lawsuit against Governor Wes Moore’s administration were seated behind Gahler during the testimony.

The Community Trust Act

Moore, who faces a gubernatorial rematch against former Del. Dan Cox, R-Frederick, signed Maryland’s ban on 287(g) agreements earlier this year and allowed a broader measure, the Community Trust Act, to become law without his signature.

The act, authored by state Sen. Clarence Lam, D-Elkridge, bars “Agents of State,” including law enforcement and corrections officials, from questioning a person’s immigration status, detaining suspects to investigate citizenship or immigration status, or holding them over a suspected civil immigration violation. It also prohibits notifying federal immigration authorities that someone is in custody unless a court order requires it, rather than just an ICE detainer request.

Gahler said honoring ICE detainers is not a burden on his department, pushing back on Democratic arguments that cooperating with federal immigration authorities diverts resources from local policing.

Asked by Gill whether illegal immigrants who commit lesser, or “petty,” crimes should still be removed from the country rather than having enforcement limited to more serious offenses, Gahler agreed.

“That’s 100% what I believe,” Gahler said.

Moore’s defense

According to Ocean City’s NPR affiliate, Moore has said the Community Trust Act supports the goal of keeping law enforcement focused on reducing crime, while acknowledging logistical concerns that he believes should be handled through executive action or during the 2027 legislative session.

Gahler and the other sheriffs suing the state argue the law instead prevents them from pursuing public safety goals in cases involving people sought by federal immigration authorities.