SANCTUARY STEVE HALL ENDANGERS CITIZENS OF ST. MARY’S BY RELEASING DANGEROUS CRIMINALS INSTEAD OF HOLDING THEM FOR ICE

SANCTUARY STEVE HALL ENDANGERS CITIZENS OF
ST. MARY’S BY RELEASING DANGEROUS CRIMINALS INSTEAD OF HOLDING THEM FOR ICE

ATTORNEY GENERAL BONDI HAS ORDERED FEDERAL FUNDS WITHHELD FROM SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS

BY JOHN E. O’CONNOR
THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY

St. Mary’s County is in the grip of what could turn out to be a fiscal crisis, exacerbated by law enforcement leaders who persist in adopting policies that compromise safety and undermine the rule of law. Despite the county commissioners’ refusal to declare the county a sanctuary, the reality is starkly different. The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) has now included St. Mary’s County in the growing list of jurisdictions that impede federal immigration enforcement, and for valid reasons. The Sheriff’s Department, under the leadership of Steve Hall, Shawn Moses, and Clay Safford, has knowingly implemented policies that allow criminals with illegal immigrant status to be released back into the community rather than being handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Polices they outright refuse to release to the public.

Instead of enforcing the law, the Detention and Rehabilitation Center refuses to honor ICE detainers or hold individuals for federal authorities beyond their local charges. This means that criminals who should be deported are instead given a free pass, putting residents at risk and eroding public trust. The Sheriff’s Department can argue that they notify ICE when someone with a detainer is arrested, but notification means nothing if the county then turns around and lets them walk free. This isn’t just negligence it’s a deliberate refusal to uphold the law, and it’s costing the people of St. Mary’s County their safety.

Sheriff Steve Hall and now Commissioner Ostrow claim that the Sheriff himself personally calls federal authorities every time an illegal immigrant with a criminal record is arrested. That assertion is absurd on its face. With the number of daily arrests, does anyone honestly believe that Hall dials Washington every time? The claim is so flimsy that a formal request has now been made to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security for records proving such communications have occurred. The public deserves the truth.

Meanwhile, as the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Department Command Staff Hall, Moses, and Safford continue to push its liberal, soft-on-crime policies, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have been requested to open an investigation by local conservative watchdog groups into the county’s refusal to comply with federal law. This comes after immigration watchdogs in St. Mary’s County, tracking these dangerous trends, raised the alarm. The investigation is also fueled by concerns over the so-called RINO Convict Sheriff’s failure to address the public’s concerns. This term is now being used by those who feel that the leadership under Hall is nothing more than Republican-in-name-only policies that betray the conservative values and public safety that he ran on.

A September 2024 Gonzales poll confirms what many residents already know: the vast majority of Marylanders support law enforcement cooperating with ICE when dealing with convicted criminals who are in the country illegally. A staggering 84% of Maryland voters support this measure, including 90% of African Americans, 88% of women, and 82% of Democrats. Even in traditionally liberal areas such as Baltimore City, support remains high, with 79% in favor. These numbers highlight how out of touch local leaders are with the will of the people.

Delegate Matt Morgan of St. Mary’s County pointed out the overwhelming bipartisan demand for change: “Marylanders clearly want change in Maryland’s ICE policies. Every demographic and region of our state shows incredible support for ICE cooperation, including 90% of African Americans. The support for a change in this policy is much stronger, wider, and higher than even the notable support for Governor Wes Moore.”

“Before a convicted illegal immigrant is released from jail, Marylanders want ICE to have time to pick up wanted criminals,” said Delegate Kathy Szeliga of Baltimore County.

“Before a convicted illegal immigrant is released from jail, Marylanders want ICE to have time to pick up wanted criminals,” said Delegate Kathy Szeliga of Baltimore County. “The Baltimore ICE office has detainers on some terrible criminals, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and gang members. Law enforcement must be required to turn these dangerous people over to ICE and not release them back into our communities as they are doing now.”

Despite these alarming statistics and broad public support, Maryland continues to operate under sanctuary-style policies that endanger public safety. In 2021, Annapolis Democrats unilaterally passed HB16, an anti-ICE, pro-open borders bill. This law, along with the designation of many jurisdictions in Maryland as sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, has made the state far more dangerous. “The tragic and brutal murders of Rachel Morin, who was out for a jog, and Kayla Hamilton, who was strangled to death in her bedroom, were completely preventable,” said

Delegate Lauren Arikan of Harford County. “ICE detainers are only issued for dangerous criminals, and the public deserves to be safe in their homes and communities.”

Governor Wes Moore himself acknowledged the severity of this issue. On June 16, during an appearance on Face the Nation, Moore agreed with Harford County Sheriff Gahler’s call for getting tougher on criminal illegal immigrants and requiring full cooperation with ICE. Yet, despite fourteen Delegates sending him a letter asking for action, the Governor has remained silent and has taken no steps to address the growing concerns about public safety.

Commissioners Eric Colvin and Mike Hewitt are the only ones seemingly concerned about the county’s sanctuary status. They have repeatedly raised the issue, seeking clear answers on St. Mary’s County’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. However, every time they demand transparency, they are met with resistance from the Sheriff’s Department. Instead of direct responses, they receive vague assurances, evaded questions, or outright silence. The concerns of Colvin and Hewitt underscore the depth of the problem. If elected officials cannot elicit a simple, honest response from the Sheriff’s Office, what does that say about the department’s accountability to the people it serves?

Commissioner Ostrow, for his part, has his questions to answer. As he pushes the county further down this dangerous road, he now faces an inquiry of his own. Reports indicate that he used campaign finance funds to purchase a $4,000 shed to store campaign signs; it is alleged that this may be an illegal use of campaign funds, as campaign funds cannot be used for personal benefit. If the shed has been installed on his personal property, serious concerns exist that it may have been done without a permit. If the structure is more significant than 600 square feet and permanent, he may need one; if not, he might escape that issue, but it doesn’t change the reality of the campaign finance violation. This alleged violation could have serious implications for Ostrow’s political career and the public’s trust in local government, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability at all levels of government and the need for less lip service and more action done in writing. How can anyone believe what this freshman politician is saying?

The Republican House Caucus is taking a stand against these failed policies and calling for immediate legislative action. The following Republican Delegates are leading the fight to require law enforcement to honor ICE detainers:

• Delegate Brian Chisholm (Anne Arundel County)
• Delegate Matt Morgan (St. Mary’s County)
• Delegate Kathy Szeliga (Baltimore County)
• Delegate Lauren Arikan (Harford County)
• Delegate Nino Mangione (Baltimore County)
• Delegate Jeff Ghrist (Caroline County)
• Delegate Josh Folds (Frederick County)
• Delegate Ryan Nawrocki (Baltimore County)

These legislators are demanding that Governor Wes Moore issue an immediate executive order directing local jails to honor ICE detainers before releasing criminals with active deportation orders. They have introduced House Bill 653 for the 2025 legislative session to repeal sanctuary policies, strengthen law enforcement cooperation with ICE, and prevent future tragedies caused by criminal illegal aliens. The focus of this bill is to require the constitutionally required Sheriff’s Departments to cooperate with ICE.

The time for silence is over. The overwhelming bipartisan support for ICE cooperation demonstrates that Marylanders want action. The question is simple: Will St. Mary’s County continue down this road of sanctuary policies and mismanagement, or will it finally return to the principles of law and order?

All it takes is a simple Memorandum of Understanding between the county government and the federal government that every department and government entity located in St Mary’s County will cooperate fully with federal laws. The commissioners of St Mary’s County had no problem passing legislation shutting down businesses, remanding people to their homes, and mandating vaccines for public safety employees during COVID-19. They should have no problem following federal law and mandating illegal alien criminals are not released back into the county. A simple resolution ordering a Memorandum of Understanding is all it takes. In today’s political climate, words are meaningless actions are what truly matter. It’s time for the county commissioners and sheriffs to move beyond rhetoric and put their commitments in writing through legislation. The only thing we can rely on now is what is documented through trusted sources like the Center for Immigration Studies, historical records, and the concrete actions of the past and present. Which clearly states St Mary’s County is a sanctuary county.