City Council Hearing: Public Safety Committee; March 10, 2026

The City Council Public Safety Committee of Baltimore held a hearing on March 10, 2026, to discuss Bill 26-0144, the Safe Spaces and Communities Act, which aims to prohibit Baltimore city agencies from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement actions by ICE beyond what is legally required. The bill seeks to codify existing executive orders into law, ensuring city agencies do not provide support, coordination, or assistance to ICE unless mandated by federal law or court order. The hearing included testimony from community members, legal experts, educators, and public safety officials highlighting the negative impacts of ICE enforcement on immigrant communities, public safety, and public health. Agency representatives, including the Baltimore Police Department and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, provided reports supporting the bill and discussed implementation plans, including training and agency-specific policies. Several amendments to the bill were proposed to clarify language and address legal concerns, such as restrictions on the use of city facilities by immigration officials and the scope of agency plans. The committee did not have a quorum to vote on the bill during this session but expressed intent to move forward promptly. The discussion emphasized the importance of maintaining community trust, protecting immigrant residents, and ensuring that local law enforcement focuses on public safety rather than immigration enforcement.