The College of Southern Maryland announced a new administrative policy Oct. 30, 2025, to guide responses to immigration enforcement on its four campuses, complying with the Maryland Values Act passed earlier this year. The measure, House Bill 1222, mandates that operators of designated sensitive locations develop procedures for such interactions, drawing on guidance from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General to balance public safety and access to services.
The policy applies across CSM’s sites in La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick and the Hughesville Education and Training Center, serving more than 20,000 credit and noncredit students annually from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. It specifies that private areas on college property remain restricted to authorized students, employees and invited guests. Staff must follow outlined steps if federal immigration officers arrive unannounced or seek entry, including verifying warrants and notifying administrators before granting access.
“CSM is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and respectable environment for our students and employees. As required by State law, and in coordination with legal counsel, this policy is established to provide clear administrative procedures regarding immigration enforcement interactions on any of our campuses,” CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson said in the announcement.
House Bill 1222, effective June 1, 2025, defines sensitive locations to include public schools, public libraries, state- or locally operated health care facilities, Comptroller facilities and courthouses. It also covers other sites offering state-funded services in health, education, shelter or justice access, as determined by the Attorney General. Public colleges like CSM fall under this umbrella due to their role in education. Operators had until Oct. 1, 2025, to implement policies aligned with state guidance.
The legislation prohibits state and local entities from entering new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration laws and requires termination of existing ones by July 1, 2025. It limits law enforcement inquiries into immigration status during routine stops and restricts detentions based solely on suspected civil violations. For covered individuals — those not lawfully present and convicted of serious crimes like violence or felonies after June 1, 2025 — facilities must notify federal authorities of releases within 48 hours and facilitate transfers without extending custody.
Federal officers conducting immigration actions at sensitive locations must notify local police chiefs, state police commanders or other designees in advance, unless exigent circumstances apply. Access to nonpublic areas requires a valid federal warrant; otherwise, entry is denied. The bill encourages private entities providing essential services to adopt similar measures, aiming to shield routine operations from collateral enforcement.
Maryland’s Attorney General guidance, referenced in CSM’s policy, underscores these protections. It notes that prior U.S. Department of Homeland Security policies — revoked in recent years — had generally avoided civil immigration actions at sensitive sites. The state directives seek to inform officials and the public on lawful interactions that prioritize essential services, such as education.
CSM’s full Immigration Enforcement Response Policy appears in its Administrative Manual, accessible to faculty and staff online. The college joins other Maryland institutions in this rollout. St. Mary’s College of Maryland approved a comparable policy during its October board meeting, emphasizing notifications and warrant verification. Anne Arundel Community College and Montgomery College issued interim procedures earlier, focusing on record requests and agent identification.
The Maryland Values Act emerged from 2025 legislative sessions amid debates on local-federal cooperation. More than 200 organizations, including immigrant rights groups, urged its passage in April, citing needs for community trust in public services. The Maryland Catholic Conference offered favorable testimony in February, supporting amendments for clarity on violent offender transfers. Lawmakers balanced enforcement for serious crimes with barriers to routine inquiries, as outlined in a March analysis.
In Southern Maryland, where CSM anchors workforce training in health care, trades and technology, the policy supports an inclusive environment for diverse students. The region’s proximity to Washington, D.C., draws immigrants contributing to local economies, from agriculture in Calvert County to service sectors in Charles. State data shows Maryland’s immigrant population at about 15 percent, fueling discussions on access to education without fear of status checks.
The act also mandates procedures by July 1, 2026, for governmental entities to protect personal records and geolocation data from misuse, addressing broader privacy concerns in immigration contexts. For CSM, the policy integrates with existing campus security protocols, including emergency notifications via the HawkWatch system and partnerships with county police.
This framework traces to federal shifts, including the end of Obama-era protections at schools and churches. Maryland’s response aligns with 11 other “sanctuary” states limiting local immigration roles, per national trackers. As implementation unfolds, institutions like CSM continue consulting legal experts to refine operations, ensuring compliance while maintaining open doors for learning.
