Dear Friend,
This weekend, another person was killed by ICE in Minneapolis. Videos show that Alex Pretti was wrestled to the ground and shot multiple times by federal agents. The people of Minneapolis, their elected representatives, and people all over the country want ICE to leave the Twin Cities and leave all of our communities alone. This kind of violence cannot be normalized. We refuse to accept a system where state-sanctioned brutality is carried out against people for their identity, their perceived status, or simply for showing up to protect one another.
Here in Maryland, ICE continues to terrorize our communities. Every day, our neighbors—regardless of legal status—are being detained, held in inhumane conditions, and cut off from their families. Just yesterday, a man was taken by ICE in Howard County, and as of now, no details have been released about his whereabouts or condition. And Friday, Wicomico County’s leadership entered a 287(g) agreement, turning local law enforcement into ICE Warrant Service Officers and selling out the trust of their community. This cruelty is happening in our own backyard, and we won’t stand for it.
At Progressive Maryland, we are clear: this violence is unacceptable, and we will continue to fight back, through organizing, legislative advocacy, and solidarity with our neighbors. Read on for ways to take action, upcoming events, and critical state and national updates. In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team |
Here’s what’s in today’s memo: - Quick Actions
- Legislative Updates
- PMD Events
Campaign Updates Local Chapter Updates -
State & National News
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Quick Actions: Cut ICE Funding |
ICE violence is escalating. Congress will soon vote on a funding bill that would increase ICE’s budget, giving this out-of-control agency even more power to terrorize communities. We cannot allow our tax dollars to fund violence, disappearances, and inhumane detention. Lawmakers need to hear from us now.
Call your legislators and demand they vote NO on ICE funding.
👉 Take action here |
2026 Legislative Session: Stay in the Know |
Fighting ICE Locally and Statewide Wicomico County’s 287(g) deal with ICE gives local officers the power to serve administrative warrants, warrants not signed by a judge, creating a direct pipeline to deportation and undermining community trust. Statewide we’re in the fight to ban Maryland’s participation in the harmful federal 287(g) program. SB 245 would prevent local law enforcement from collaborating with ICE, restore trust between residents and police, and make our communities safer. The bill has its first hearing in the House tomorrow.
Congressional maps determine who has the power to vote on critical issues, like funding ICE to terrorize communities, rather than addressing the real needs of residents. That’s why redistricting is central to our work this year, to ensure our communities have representation that protects our neighbors, not endangers them. Housing: Fully Fund Community Schools Rental Assistance Program
In 2024, Renters United Maryland (RUM) helped pass a program creating eviction prevention funds for families with children in community schools. But the program is critically underfunded: $5 million was allocated in the most recent budget, while at least $25 million is needed to help the 9,375 residents at risk of losing housing. Our coalition will continue pushing for full funding so children can stay in school, families can stay housed, and communities can thrive.
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PMD EVENTS:
Annapolis Task Force Training – Tonight, January 26, 6:30 PM
Want to get more involved in shaping Maryland policy this session? Attend our Annapolis Training tonight at 6:30 PM (virtual) to learn how to take action on key issues, organize in your community, and prepare to meet with legislators. Sign up here. Lobby Night – February 23
Get ready to make your voice heard in Annapolis! Join us for Lobby Night where we’ll meet with lawmakers to advocate for our legislative priorities, from housing and healthcare to environmental justice and immigrant protections. Your presence can make a real difference in passing bold bills this session. Register here to join!
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Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: |
Healthcare Task Force: Reclaim Medicaid!
We need to safeguard everyday Marylanders’ access to healthcare. For our most vulnerable residents and about half of the children in our state Medicaid or Medical Assistance is a lifeline. Trump’s 2025 federal budget cut $1 Trillion dollars to Medicaid and Maryland could, starting next year, lose as much as $2 billion in annual funding. The good news is that Maryland is working to put systems in place to protect Medicaid recipients and help them stay enrolled. We can do more. It’s time to look at reclaiming our Medicaid program from private Managed Care Organizations who cost more to use than using a direct payment model. Given the impending loss of federal funding, now is the time for lawmakers to pass a bill that enables health officials to start working on a plan to move away from using middlemen private Managed Care Organizations to manage our Medicaid program. The state would realize significant savings by transitioning to a direct payment system (instead of MCOs) and could direct those funds to bolster Medicaid services. Connecticut took this step in 2013 and has saved $4 billion over the intervening years.
If you want to learn more about the cuts and changes coming to Medicaid and about the policy and plan we’re proposing please come to our virtual briefing this Wednesday. Sign up here. Take action in the meantime
Contact [email protected] to get involved! |
Gaithersburg Tenant Union Update
The Gaithersburg Tenant Union is coming together this Wednesday, January 28 from 7–8pm at Gaithersburg High School for an organizing meeting focused on the housing issues impacting our community. Tenants will have the opportunity to connect with neighbors, share experiences, and discuss ways we can take collective action to improve living conditions and strengthen tenant power in Gaithersburg. Community members interested in fair, safe, and affordable housing are encouraged to attend.
Sign up here to join us
Temple Hills Tenant Association Meeting
We’re bringing neighbors together in Temple Hills to take the next step toward safer, more affordable, and more livable housing. On Thursday, February 5, renters and homeowners are invited to join a community organizing meeting where we’ll officially establish the Temple Hills Tenant Association, elect local leaders, and begin planning our first collective action to address ongoing housing and community concerns. This is a chance to connect with neighbors, share your experiences, and help shape the future of housing conditions in Temple Hills.
Sign up to join us here |
US reels at more grim news from Minnesota; Maryland struggles with impact of federal budget cuts
Anyone, including your correspondent, approaches the keyboard with a heavy heart this week. It feels punk to tap out sentences about resistance while thousands of our fellow humans are out in subzero temperatures in Minnesota (and this week, everywhere) fighting back against occupation and terrorism by a poorly-trained gang of thugs.
Here in Maryland we are much less troubled by that Minnesota not-nice brand of oppression but suffering from the Trump Gang’s discriminatory persecution of many of our fellow citizens and immigrants of various status who don’t look like white billionaires. On top of that, our state budget took a mighty hit from the Big (Un)Beautiful Bill that diverted so much of our tax money to ICE (Trump’s personal armed force) and away from the public-health and premium subsidies that have allowed families to have medical insurance since the Obama administration (as the stories below detail). Our General Assembly is wrestling with the resulting deficit in its session right now (or, actually, after the snow and ice are cleared somewhat). It already looks as though the state’s commitment to a clean energy future will be slowed and the out-of-pocket cost of going to college in Maryland increased.
It’s News You Can Use, sometimes better, sometimes not so great. |
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