Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) voiced support for an effort to ban the use of private buildings as Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers.
As part of their war against ICE and President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, Democrats have turned their attention to cracking down on ICE detention centers, straining the agency’s logistics. Moore threw his support behind a local effort from Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to ban private buildings from being used as ICE detention centers.
“At a time when ICE is operating without accountability – tearing families apart and putting children in harm’s way – Howard County is demonstrating that these facilities do not make us safer or reflect our values. Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people,” Moore said in a post on X.
The Maryland governor spoke at the bill signing to reiterate his support, which was joined by Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).
Moore began his speech by thanking Howard County for protecting its illegal immigrant population, saying, “God bless you for taking care of all of our people, and not just some of them.”
“Maryland will not be bullied. Marylanders will not be shoved to the side, that Marylanders will stand up and Marylanders will lead,” Moore said.
The Maryland governor repeatedly tapped into Gen. Z lingo, saying that Howard County “understood the assignment.”
Moore’s rhetoric is likely to further stoke 2028 rumors, despite his repeated insistence that he wasn’t running. He mentioned Vice President JD Vance whenever he mentioned Trump, with Vance as the likely Republican nominee in 2028.
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“Right now, this Trump-Vance, ICE, is out of control. They are not focused on deporting violent immigrants. We are watching them pull people from their homes, from their workplaces, rip families apart, and even taking children. Wreaking havoc. They’re not acting with accountability, and they’re not acting with the accountability that the Constitution demands,” Moore said.
As for the detention center itself, Moore cited “deep fears this will be used as a detention center where inhumanity and cruelty has been commonplace, where basic human needs and dignity are denied.” He also relayed concerns about straining local resources.
