Gov. Wes Moore Faces Growing Calls to Veto Maryland Sanctuary Bill

TL;DR: Governor Wes Moore is under mounting pressure to veto the Community Trust Act, a bill that could jeopardize federal funding and spark public‑safety concerns.

Context The Maryland General Assembly passed the Community Trust Act (SB 791) on the final day of the 2026 session. The measure limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities, requiring a felony conviction or a judicial warrant before officers can honor ICE detainers or share inmate release data. The bill resurfaced after months in committee and follows a separate ban on formal 287(g) agreements, which previously allowed local agencies to enforce federal immigration law.

Key Facts - The Act bars local law enforcement from honoring federal immigration detainers without a judicial warrant and restricts the sharing of release information for inmates. - A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson warned that such sanctuary policies make communities less safe, noting that seven of the ten safest U.S. cities cooperate with ICE. - Legislative analysts warn the bill could trigger a review under President Trump’s executive order directing the Justice Department and DHS to assess sanctuary states for possible funding cuts. - House and Senate Republicans have sent letters to Governor Moore urging a veto, calling the legislation “reactionary virtue signaling.” - Supporters, mainly Democratic lawmakers, argue the bill protects due process for non‑citizens.

What It Means If enacted, the Community Trust Act would take effect immediately, reshaping how Maryland’s police interact with federal immigration officials. The potential loss of federal funds adds fiscal pressure to the political debate, while DHS argues that reduced cooperation could increase crime rates. Governor Moore has not publicly addressed the veto request, leaving the state at a crossroads between immigration policy, public‑safety claims, and federal funding risks. The next week will reveal whether the governor signs the bill into law or joins the growing chorus of officials demanding its repeal.