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Salisbury leaders debate county 287(g) plan after mayor’s release; council raises legal and community concerns
Summary
A mayoral press release saying Salisbury would "support" Wicomico County's interest in a 287(g) immigration enforcement arrangement prompted extensive council debate and public comment; council members and legal staff said municipalities have limited ability to enter such agreements and warned the release caused fear among immigrant communities.
A mayoral statement that the City of Salisbury "intends to cooperate" with Wicomico County on a 287(g) immigration enforcement program drew sharp questions from council members and a sustained public response at Monday's work session.
The mayor's office circulated a press release describing the federal 287(g) authority in the Immigration and Nationality Act and saying city law enforcement would "cooperate with the efforts of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office." Council members and staff said the release created confusion because the county has been discussing options but had not finalized any agreement, and because municipalities face limits in entering 287(g)-style arrangements.
"We can't support them. How can we support them? We don't even know what they're doing," Councilwoman Jackson said, reflecting council concern about the lack of documentation and the absence of a memoranda of understanding. Legal counsel told the council several 287(g) implementation models exist but noted the city would be ineligible for the county's model because the city lacks a detention facility; the legal team said it had not reviewed any agreement that would authorize broader deputization or field operations by city officers.
Public commenters and council members urged caution, saying the release stoked fear in immigrant communities and could reduce cooperation with local law enforcement. "Immigrant communities don't report crime," public speaker Liza McEntee said, warning that cooperation with ICE can undermine victim and witness reporting. Council members also noted staffing limits for the local police department and asked whether additional duties, training or funding would be required.
Several council members said they would not pursue city-level implementation; legal counsel said the charter and operational limits make some 287(g) models impracticable for Salisbury. The mayor said his intent was public-safety focused — to assist in locating people who have judicial or administrative warrants — but acknowledged the release had "supercharged" public reaction. Council directed staff to gather more information and the mayor and council scheduled further discussion with county partners.
