Maryland

Maryland AG condemns Trump administration for giving ICE access to Medicaid data

Published

9 months ago

July 18, 2025

Maryland AG condemns Trump administration for giving ICE access to Medicaid data

Maryland’s attorney general is condemning the Trump administration’s decision to share the personal information of 79 million Medicaid enrollees with immigration authorities.

“This agreement is a grave breach of the public’s trust and a direct threat to the privacy and safety of families across our state. It undermines the core purpose of our healthcare system by turning it into a tool of surveillance rather than a source of care,” Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement Friday.

In a statement to NBC News, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin described the latest data-sharing agreement between her agency and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as “an initiative” to ensure undocumented immigrants don’t access Medicaid benefits. The Associated Press first reported the new agreement, which hasn’t been made public yet.

Immigrants who are in the country illegally, and some lawfully present immigrants, are already barred from enrolling in Medicaid.

Under the agreement, officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement will use Medicaid data to get identity and location information of people ICE believes are in the country unlawfully.

Brown’s office said news of the data sharing agreement “alarmingly” comes after Maryland joined a multi-state lawsuit challening the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to give ICE broad access to individual personal health data. A hearing on the states’ motion for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for Aug. 7.

“This reckless policy will deter people from seeking routine and urgent care, leading to worse health outcomes and placing an unsustainable burden on our hospitals and clinics when preventable conditions become emergencies,” Brown said in his statement. “We will use every legal tool available to safeguard the personal medical information of our residents and uphold the integrity of our healthcare system. This is not only unlawful—it is a deeply harmful act that will separate families, sow fear in our communities, and put lives at risk.”

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Maryland

Fallen firefighters memorial in Maryland closed ahead of cermony due to DHS shutdown

Published

5 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Fallen firefighters memorial in Maryland closed ahead of cermony due to DHS shutdown

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Families of fallen firefighters may be unable to access a national memorial honoring their loved ones due to a federal funding lapse affecting the Department of Homeland Security.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation says the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is currently closed to the public, just weeks before its annual remembrance ceremony.

The closure is tied to restricted access at the National Emergency Training Center campus, which houses the memorial and falls under DHS operations.

In early May, the foundation is set to honor 204 firefighters from 43 states during the 45th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, scheduled for May 2-3.

SEE ALSO | Maryland’s new paint fees spark outrage as recycling nonprofit isn’t registered in state

For many families, this event represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the site where their loved ones are permanently honored.

“These families…should be able to stand where their loved ones are recognized by our nation,” said CEO Victor Stagnaro.

The foundation is calling on federal leaders to restore access to the memorial ahead of the ceremony, emphasizing the memorial’s emotional importance to grieving families.

“Congress established the memorial to ensure America remembers its fire heroes,” Stagnaro said. “We urge federal leaders to act now.”

While the foundation says it remains committed to holding Memorial Weekend services with dignity, public access to the ground remains uncertain unless funding issues are resolved.

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Maryland

Maryland residents question new paint can fee amid growing costs

Published

17 hours ago

April 7, 2026

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Maryland residents question new paint can fee amid growing costs

MARYLAND (WBFF) — A trip to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) left some drivers stunned by higher costs that they say are piling up across the state.

Tony Joshua said he walked away when he saw what it would cost to register his vehicle.

“Sticker shock? (laughs),” he said. “I turned right around and got out of the line. I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have it.”

ALSO READ | Maryland’s new paint fees spark outrage as recycling nonprofit isn’t registered in state

The cost of registering, titling and inspecting a vehicle in Maryland doubled last year, but the fee increases don’t stop at the MVA. The Maryland legislature has approved more than 300 new fees in the past two years including a tire tax, a tech tax and a vending machine tax.

“It’s just like greed more than anything,” Baltimore resident Clifton Parrot said.

Baltimore resident Sheila Bowling questioned how the additional funding is being used.

“This is the million dollar question. Nobody knows what those fees are doing. Everything is high in the city,” she said.

If I’m dodging potholes, where is the money going?” Joshua asked.

One of the latest fees will be attached to every gallon of paint sold in Maryland and will go to a nonprofit organization that will manage Maryland’s paint recycling program. But FOX45 News has learned that the nonprofit, PaintCare, isn’t registered as a nonprofit in the state of Maryland, even though it’s set to receive a dollar fee for every gallon of paint sold in the state.

Joshua said the growing costs have him questioning whether he can stay in Maryland.

“It flabbergasts me where the money is going. Sometimes I’m like ‘dude, do I stay here?’” he said.

Bowling said, “This shouldn’t be happening in 2026 this shouldn’t be happening.”

For many Marylanders, the rising fees have strained budgets and morale, with some saying they can no longer afford the increasing price of driving.

“I’m just at my wits end about it. I’m like when do we, the taxpayers get a break?” Joshua asked.

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Maryland

Deadly motorcycle crash closes busy stretch of Connecticut Avenue in Montgomery Co. – WTOP News

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Deadly motorcycle crash closes busy stretch of Connecticut Avenue in Montgomery Co. – WTOP News

A deadly crash involving a motorcycle shut down a stretch of Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, early Tuesday.

Montgomery County police said officers responded around 6:15 a.m. to a report of a crash involving a car and a motorcycle at Manor Road and Connecticut Avenue.

A motorcyclist was found in serious condition. Police said the man died at the scene.

A woman driving the car was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Connecticut Avenue is closed in both directions between Jones Bridge Road and Manor Road as police investigate the collision.

The crash is the latest in a series of deadly motorcycle incidents across Maryland, including a deadly hit-and-run in Charles County that left one man dead Saturday.

A map of the area is below.

CLICK MAP FOR THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FROM THE WTOP TRAFFIC CENTER: Map shows closure of Connecticut Avenue in both directions, south of Interstate 495 in Chevy Chase, Md.

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