Judiciary Committee advances emergency bill to terminate 287(g) jail agreements; passes 12–7

The House Judiciary Committee voted 12–7 on Jan. 28 to report House Bill 44 as amended, an emergency measure that would require jurisdictions to terminate existing 287(g) immigration-enforcement agreements as soon as the act takes effect.

Staff member Holly, who presented the amendment to the committee, said the change "makes the bill an emergency measure" and adds a provision that "upon the taking effect of this act, any existing immigration enforcement agreements have to be terminated per the termination clause in the agreement." The committee approved the amendment by hand vote and then proceeded to a roll-call vote on the bill as amended.

Supporters told the committee they were acting to preserve public safety and public trust. "This bill is about public safety," Delegate Moon said during floor explanation, arguing that county participation with ICE has "lost the public trust" and that ending the agreements would restore safety and community confidence. Delegate Williams, who also voted yes, said more counties have adopted the agreements since…