Mayor Brandon Scott Restricts ICE Access to Baltimore City Facilities

Mayor Brandon Scott signed an executive order March 4, 2026, titled “Protecting the Rights and Well-Being of Baltimore City Residents,” that bars U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using Baltimore city-owned buildings as staging areas or entering government offices without a judicial warrant and directs city agencies to refuse ICE use of property absent a valid judicial warrant. The order also directs expanded outreach and legal supports through the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

The order reiterates an internal city policy that City staff and contractors may not allow ICE into City facilities without a judicial warrant and adds an explicit directive: the executive order further directs City agencies with authority over physical property to not allow their properties from being used by ICE agents as staging areas, processing locations, or operations bases without a valid judicial warrant. City officials framed that ban as a reinforcement of existing rules and a tightening of ICE’s ability to operate on municipal property.

Baltimore Police Department procedures are spelled out in the order and in city materials. The order restricts BPD officers from asking about immigration status during routine encounters and from detaining residents solely for immigration reasons. The order also requires transparency for on-duty BPD officers, stating: "Unless otherwise directed, BPD officers are required to wear department-issued uniforms and equipment while on duty. BPD officers must also provide their rank, name, and badge number to any member of the public if asked." The text makes clear that the Baltimore Police Department will remain under local control and that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, not local police.

Mayor Scott framed the move as a public-safety and rights-protection measure, saying, "For months, our team has been closely monitoring aggressive, reckless, and violent federal immigration enforcement in cities and communities around the country," and adding, "This executive order is one of many actions we're taking to protect public safety and our residents in Baltimore." He also emphasized the city's community ties: "Our immigrant neighbors are an integral part of Baltimore’s social and economic fabric."

The city said the order will be paired with expanded Know Your Rights outreach and a new resources webpage that will include the revamped Safe City Baltimore program through the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. BaltimoreCity materials list Safe City Baltimore offerings as know your rights education, immigration legal screenings, and support for families impacted by detention, and the order materials include a "Pro Bono Work" heading indicating city-backed legal assistance components without listing partner organizations or timelines.

City officials signaled a willingness to contest federal actions in court, stating the city is prepared to "pursue all legal avenues to challenge unconstitutional federal actions if necessary." An ICE spokesperson, quoted in syndicated reporting, described vehicles seized or used as a "necessary piece of equipment for onboarding officers and agents," and said meals-ready-to-eat "are a reliable option for short-term situations," while declining to confirm whether more agents will operate in Baltimore or whether regional detentions will rise.

The executive order establishes firm municipal boundaries for federal immigration operations but leaves practical questions open: the city has not released a launch date for the resources webpage, named pro bono partners, or detailed enforcement mechanics for property-use restrictions and BPD compliance. City leaders say the order reaffirms Baltimore’s status as a welcoming city while positioning municipal government to defend residents’ constitutional rights against federal immigration actions.