Washington County commissioners adopt resolution expressing support for DHS and ICE

The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, voted on Feb. 10, 2026, to adopt a resolution expressing the board’s support for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and local municipal law enforcement.

The resolution — read aloud by the meeting chair and dated Feb. 10, 2026 — states that the safety and security of the community is ‘‘of utmost importance’’ and declares the board’s intent to support DHS and ICE ‘‘in the enforcement of our nation’s borders, safeguarding the integrity of our immigration system,’’ while adding that ‘‘all persons are treated with dignity and compassion within our jurisdiction.’’ The chair warned members of the public that disruptive outcries or whistles would prompt suspension of the meeting.

After the chair read the document, a commissioner moved to approve the resolution and another commissioner seconded the motion. The board then approved the measure by a voice vote; a recorded ‘‘Aye’’ was heard in the chamber and the chair declared the motion carried.

The resolution directs that a copy be transmitted to DHS, ICE and local law enforcement agencies and states it is effective immediately upon adoption. The text read at the meeting emphasizes continued partnership among federal, state and local law enforcement to ‘‘ensure the welfare and security of all citizens and legal residents within our jurisdiction.’’

The meeting’s agenda also included routine business: the board approved the minutes of its Jan. 13, 2026 meeting by voice vote earlier in the session, and commissioners used their time for reports and recognitions. Commissioner Wagner announced a county parks-and-rec kickoff for girls volleyball and noted land-preservation work covering ‘‘about a third’’ of the county, roughly ‘‘100,000 acres’’ as described at the meeting. Commissioner Leatherman highlighted recent ice rescues by Potomac Valley and Sharpsburg volunteer crews and urged residents to report suspected elder abuse to Adult Protective Services (Maryland Department of Human Services), providing the contact number stated during the meeting.

No formal roll-call vote tally was read into the record for the resolution; the approval was recorded as a voice vote. The meeting adjourned its public session after routine business and the resolution’s adoption.