Maryland sheriffs file lawsuit against state law prohibiting cooperation with immigration agents

A coalition of sheriffs in Maryland filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against a new state law that prohibits state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. 

Of Maryland's 23 sheriffs, 17 signed onto the legal challenge against the Community Trust Act, the Washington Times reported. 

The law prohibits state and local law enforcement from notifying Border Patrole and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about illegal immigrants jailed on criminal charges. It also requires federal agents to secure a search warrant before transferring custody of an illegal immigrant from local agencies to federal authorities. 

The lawsuit explains that the Community Trust Act's prohibitions apply to individuals convicted of serious felonies, including sex offenses, which jeopardizes public safety. 

The lawsuit argues that the law's prohibitions "intentionally obstruct federal law enforcement and thwart Plaintiffs’ obligation to uphold the Constitution of the United States." 

The law passed the Maryland General Assembly with a supermajority, which allowed it to become law without Gov. Wes Moore's signature.