And here it is. HB16 is up for second reading on the Senate floor, finally. As read with two amendments by Chairman Smith, the bill would outlaw agreements between local and federal agencies for immigration detention and curtail expansion of 287(g) programs.

Sen. Hough: "This bill would say that Howard and Worcester can no longer have those [ICE detention agreements... This will not stop the feds from detaining anybody, he says. I'm sure a lot of red states will be happy to take the money."

Chairman Smith counters that a majority of detainees are held for non-violent offenses, and that detainees held in Worcester County are from the region generally as opposed to the specific jurisdiction.

"It seems the federal government has made the decision that they're going to hold that person... Will the case not be that the federal government will hold them in out-of-state facilities?" Hough asks.

One provision in the bill mandates that there be local input and comment from residents in the event that the federal government wants to establish a facility of its own accord in a given Maryland jurisdiction.

Sen. Hershey is talking about Sudlersville, which entertained allowing a detention facility in their town last year. I covered the town's deliberations on the issue; residents expressed overwhelming opposition. https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/05/13/despite-furor-eastern-shore-town-approves-zoning-for-possible-immigrant-detention-facility/

Sen. Smith is touting alternative methods of supervision that would allow individuals awaiting immigration proceedings to remain free and attend their hearings rather than being subjected to detention. He says Maryland shouldn't engage in profiting from this system.

Sen. Ready: "Generally, these are people who have... been caught, and there's other issues." Republicans push back on the premise that most individuals in detention haven't committed serious crimes. Sen. Smith counters that for many, they have traffic offenses or illegal reentry.

After adoption of the favorable report, Sen. Carozza is putting forth an amendment to exclude Worcester County from the provisions of this bill. She says the jail relies heavily on funds from ICE for its operating budget, and was able to hire 26 more guards as a result.