Bill would bar SROs and school security employees from participating in federal immigration enforcement at schools, witnesses say it would protect students' “op
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Summary
House Bill 15 13 would bar school resource officers and school security personnel from participating in federal immigration investigations or enforcement actions at public schools, backers told the Ways and Means Committee.
House Bill 15 13 would prohibit school resource officers (SROs) and school security employees from engaging in federal immigration investigations or enforcement functions — including collaboration with programs like 287(g) — while on school grounds, according to testimony to the Ways and Means Committee.
Sponsor Delegate Eric Ebersole and witnesses including social workers and SEIU representatives described the bill as a measure to protect students’ access to education and to reduce fear among immigrant families after federal changes that removed “sensitive locations” protections. Ebersole said reports show immigrant children skipping school out of fear and that SRO involvement in immigration enforcement would undermine their roles as mentors and advocates.
Supporters said the bill would not prevent law enforcement from responding to criminal incidents or fulfilling regular public-safety functions, but would bar school security staff from assisting federal immigration enforcement actions on campus. “By enacting 15 13 we will work to ensure safety for all children at Maryland public schools,” Ebersole said.
Committee members pressed for specifics and hypotheticals: would the bill bar cooperation when ICE arrives with a court order or warrant, or if a student poses a public-safety threat? Witnesses and the sponsor said the bill targets ICE-related immigration enforcement actions and the assistance by school security staff. They emphasized the distinction between ordinary reportable criminal activity (which school staff and local police may handle) and federal immigration enforcement that could lead to family separations and chilling school attendance.
The committee asked whether counties that have memoranda of understanding with ICE under the 287(g) framework could still have school security staff support enforcement; the sponsor said the bill would prevent school resource officers from enlisting in those federal enforcement actions in schools. The committee did not take a recorded vote at the hearing.
