Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins faces political and legal pressure in Maryland after utilizing the federal 287(g) program since 2008 to refer roughly 2,000 residents for deportation. While 2026 state legislation banned local 287(g) contracts, Jenkins joined a multi-sheriff lawsuit to challenge these restrictions. Democratic candidate Karl Bickel challenges Jenkins in the November 2026 election amid ongoing fear and mistrust among local immigrant families.
Participation in the 287(g) program
- ▪Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins joined U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 287(g) program in 2008 to inquire about the immigration status of incarcerated individuals.
- ▪Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins stated his office placed approximately 2,000 individuals into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for deportation over 18 years.
State ban on 287(g) and legal challenges
- ▪In 2026, Maryland lawmakers passed legislation banning local agreements under the 287(g) program, terminating Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins' contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- ▪In summer 2026, Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins joined 16 other Maryland sheriffs in filing a lawsuit challenging state restrictions on local immigration enforcement collaboration.
Impact of deportation fears on immigrant residents
- ▪Immigrant rights advocate Sebastian Brown stated that fear of deportation has affected daily life in Frederick County, Maryland since 2008.
- ▪Immigrant residents in Frederick County, Maryland reported avoiding emergency calls to police out of concern that local law enforcement contact could lead to deportation.
Anti-immigration policies following the 2006 election
- ▪Following Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins' 2006 election, local officials declared English as the official county language and attempted to restrict housing rentals for undocumented residents.
- ▪Republican Chuck Jenkins was first elected sheriff of Frederick County, Maryland in 2006 on an explicit anti-immigration platform.
- ▪Local officials in Frederick County, Maryland attempted to require public schools to report students without legal immigration status to authorities following 2006 policy shifts.
Deportation of a Salvadoran family member
- ▪The stepfather of two Salvadoran brothers living in Frederick County, Maryland was detained by a sheriff's deputy in summer last year and deported by federal immigration authorities.
- ▪Two Salvadoran brothers fled gang extortion in San Salvador to join family members in Frederick County, Maryland after traveling over 2,000 miles.
Story comments
Loading comments…