Prince George's County Council Passes Mask Ban, Orders ICE Detainee Accounting

Prince George’s County Council voted to approve CB-008-2026, described by the council as an emergency act prohibiting facial coverings during law enforcement interactions, and CR-009-2026, a resolution on accounting ICE detainees in the county; both measures were referred to the Committee of the Whole. The council’s action implements local policy language summarized by the council but the full ordinance text and resolution text were not released at the time of the vote.

The measures cleared the council on Feb. 17, 2026, but the record available to the public does not include vote tallies, penalty provisions, definitions of “facial coverings,” or enforcement mechanisms for CB-008-2026. County officials have not posted the full text of CB-008-2026 or CR-009-2026 to a public docket; the council referred both items to the Committee of the Whole for further work.

At the state level, State Senator Malcolm Augustine (D–Prince George’s County) introduced Senate Bill 1, SB0001, which would prohibit all law enforcement officers operating in Maryland — explicitly including federal agents — from wearing balaclavas, ski masks, or neck gaiters while on duty. Augustine’s bill was introduced with more than a dozen co-sponsors and was framed by its sponsors as a measure to reduce community fear amid increased immigration raids.

Legal questions raised by the proposal have landed with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. Assistant Attorney General Natalie Bilbrough advised Del. Nicole Williams, Deputy Majority Whip and a delegate representing Prince George’s County, that SB0001 is “not clearly unconstitutional” given the state’s authority to set law enforcement regulations, but that “enforcement raises legal concerns.” The attorney general’s written advice letter to Del. Williams has been referenced in coverage, though the full text of that letter was not included in public materials available after the county vote.

State leaders offered contrasting views on the bill’s prospects. Senate President Bill Ferguson said, “I don’t think the Attorney General said that it was clearly unconstitutional, I think he said that he would fight,” adding, “He believed that there was an argument and it would have to be played out in practice.” Republican Del. Kathy Szeliga of Baltimore County warned political rivals that “these efforts to control ICE will be thrown out” because, she argued, “the state of Maryland cannot interfere with federal law enforcement action.”

The council’s action follows accounts from Hyattsville business owners who say a spike in immigration enforcement and the presence of tactical-clad officers has chilled activity at a once-vibrant Hispanic shopping center. Business owner Mamie Brewster, identified as an immigrant and an American citizen, said, “They come to the parking lot, and people disappear.” Brewster added, “What are they hiding if they're the law? They're afraid of us? We don't have arms like they [do], so why have the mask?” Brewster told reporters she now carries her passport at all times.

Officials and advocates on both sides will now seek the missing documents cited by legislators and the county council: the full text of CB-008-2026 and CR-009-2026, the Senate bill text and co-sponsor list for SB0001, and the attorney general’s complete advice letter. Meanwhile, related state legislation, including a 287(g) ban bill, was on the legislative schedule and was expected to come up for final votes in both the House and Senate in the near term, leaving open how state and county measures will interact with federal enforcement and any resulting court challenges.