ICE using driver’s license data in Maryland immigration enforcement
By Ruben Castaneda
Published on April 10, 2026.
Federal immigration agents in Maryland have used the state's driver’s license database to detain a driver in Howard County without citing a traffic violation or outstanding warrant, according to a federal affidavit. This move raises legal and policy questions about the use of such information in immigration enforcement. The case involves Santos Alvarenga-Rodriguez, who was questioned and detained after agents flagged restrictions on his Maryland driver's license. Nearly a quarter-million Maryland drivers carry similar license restrictions. If broadly applied, this could lead to large numbers of people being questioned by federal agents even if they're not suspected of a criminal or traffic violation. Maryland state Sen. Clarence Lam is supporting legislation to prevent ICE from accessing MVA data without a judicial warrant.
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