Wicomico County, Maryland. — Wicomico County has officially entered into a 287(g) immigration enforcement partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, County Executive Julie Giordano announced Friday.
The agreement, unveiled in a joint press release with Sheriff Mike Lewis, establishes a Warrant Service Officer (WSO) model. Under this structure, ICE will train and certify designated county personnel to serve and execute administrative immigration warrants on individuals already detained in the county jail. County officials emphasized that the sheriff’s office itself is not part of the agreement.
Giordano said the partnership takes effect immediately, marking the culmination of months of internal debate. The county had previously paused discussions after Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued guidance discouraging such agreements. Giordano argued the new arrangement avoids that restriction because it is made directly between ICE and the county government rather than local law enforcement agencies.
The move makes Wicomico County the first jurisdiction on Delmarva to adopt a 287(g) agreement, setting the stage for what is likely to become a closely watched policy shift in the region.
Ronald Pittore, Staff Writer
