Standing Up Against 287(g) in Wicomico County

This fall, CATA joined forces with community partners and allies to stand against the dangerous 287(g) agreement in Wicomico County. This policy would allow local police and the sheriff to collaborate with ICE, undermining trust between immigrant families and law enforcement.

Last month, CATA’s team in Maryland participated in several initiatives to raise awareness among local government officials and the public about the dangers of the 287(g) agreement for Wicomico County and the City of Salisbury. They spoke at both the Wicomico County Council and the Salisbury City Council meetings, joined a press conference held before the latter, and stood alongside organizations including:

ACLU Maryland • ACLU National • Crabs on the Shore • WOLC Immigration • NAACP • CASA • Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) • Haitian Bridge Alliance • Migrant Clinicians Network • NAACP–Wicomico County Branch (7028B) • Rebirth • Haitian Development Center of DELMARVA (HDCD) • Institute for Justice and Democracy for Haiti • Komite Ayiti • Kreyol à la Français LA • Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), and many concerned residents.

CATA and representatives from these organizations spoke out, urging county and city council members to reject the 287(g) agreement. You can listen to CATA’s interventions here:

• [Wicomico County Council Session – 1:05 mark]

• [Salisbury City Council Legislative Session – 9/22/2025, minute 37:50]

  
  

Before the City Council meeting, a press conference brought together community voices holding signs and sharing stories about the harm this agreement would cause. Leila Borrero Krouse, a member of CATA’s Maryland team, was interviewed and spoke about ICE’s history of racial profiling and detaining people—including Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens—without giving them the chance to show proof of their legal status.

Why 287(g) Hurts Communities

287(g) agreements destroy trust between residents and local law enforcement. When families fear that calling 911 could lead to deportation, victims and witnesses of crimes stay silent, making everyone less safe.

Research shows that these programs do not reduce crime—they only spread fear and division. ICE already has the authority to arrest individuals charged with serious crimes without deputizing local police. Wicomico County should focus on real solutions that keep all neighbors safe, not policies that encourage racial profiling and discrimination.

A Human Cost: A Latina mother Story

To understand what is at stake, look at what happened in Carroll County earlier this year. In March, a 51-year-old Latina mother was driving to work with her daughter when ICE agents surrounded her car. When she calmly asked for a warrant, agents smashed her window and dragged her out in front of her terrified child. Despite having a valid work permit and no active deportation case, She was treated like a criminal. Her story is a chilling reminder of what happens when immigration enforcement goes unchecked.

Our Next Steps

Despite community opposition, some local officials—including County Executive Julie Giordano and Sheriff Mike Lewis—continue to push forward with this agreement. But we will not stop here. CATA has joined a steering committee with other committed organizations to coordinate next steps and continue the fight for immigrant justice in Wicomico County and beyond.

Take Action

We need your voice. Call your local legislators, speak out against 287(g), and stand with immigrant families in our community. Help us make a difference by signing this petition: [Say No to 287(g) Pledge | PeoplePower.org]

To get involved, contact Jean-Frandy Philogene at jphilogene@cata-farmworkers.org or Leila Borrero Krouse at lborrerokrouse@cata-farmworkers.org.

You can also support our work by donating to CATA and helping us defend immigrant rights.

Justice for all means justice for everyone. Together, we can stop 287(g).