We discuss the January 23rd press conference at which County Executive Giordano and Sheriff Lewis announced that a 287(g) agreement with ICE had been signed. However, it may be short-lived, as both houses of the Maryland legislature passed bills this week prohibiting local governments from entering into 287(g) agreements. If the Governor signs this legislation as expected, the County's agreement with ICE will be immediately nullified. Giordano's announcement was surprising insofar as in her last public communication on this issue (made on November 4), she stated that any agreement with ICE would be tabled until after the current state legislative session because a bill prohibiting such agreements would likely be passed. But contrary to her promise, she moved forward with it anyway. Ms. Giordano has been quite outspoken about 287(g) agreements, which seems to have compelled the Maryland legislature to expedite passage of the aforementioned bills as “emergency legislation” that will become effective immediately upon being signed by the governor. Perhaps if the County Executive had been less brazen and bombastic in her approach, the Maryland legislature may have been more willing to consider the benefits of 287(g) agreements. The County Executive has also indicated that she intends to pursue legal action against the state if the emergency legislation is signed into law. She claims that the county's legal representation in this matter will be provided pro bono, but it seems unlikely that taxpayers won't be picking up the tab. It's also noteworthy that Giordano stated that a majority of the County Council informally approved the 287(g) agreement with ICE and were kept apprised of the administration's actions. There is no evidence that the Council had been advised that she was moving forward with an ICE agreement, or had approved her decision, or was otherwise involved in any manner whatsoever. In fact, Council President John Cannon and other members of the council have explicitly stated that all such assertions are false. Why is this County Executive so unwilling to simply tell the truth? Tune in and be informed.