Updated: Friday, June 5, 2026
Governor Wes Moore has taken a significant step to protect the rights of Maryland’s immigrant community by signing an executive order that establishes a statewide task force dedicated to this mission. This initiative, lasting 12 months, will bring together the Attorney General’s Office, the Comptroller’s Office, and other key state leaders to coordinate and enhance efforts aimed at combating fraud and exploitation directed at immigrant populations.
Immigrants constitute approximately 17% of Maryland’s population and nearly 22% of its workforce. Despite their vital contributions to the state’s economy and culture, many immigrant residents continue to encounter challenges such as discrimination and inferior services in critical areas like legal assistance, employment, and housing.
In light of recent reports of exploitative schemes targeting these communities, the task force will address predatory practices that undermine the well-being of immigrants and their families. Such actions not only inflict personal harm but also distort market competition, jeopardizing the overall safety of Maryland residents.
Governor Moore emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that the state’s immigrant communities signify Maryland’s strength. “I refuse to allow malicious actors to take advantage of our immigrant neighbors. This task force is a collective stand against injustice, embodying our unity,” he remarked.
This executive order aligns with Governor Moore’s earlier pledges to enhance protections for immigrants, as articulated in his State of the State address. The task force will collaborate with relevant state agencies to identify the most pressing issues faced by immigrants, particularly concerning legal service fraud, workplace rights violations, and access to housing and consumer rights.
According to Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, establishing this task force fosters inter-agency collaboration and bolsters legal protections for immigrants. “Every Marylander deserves fair treatment and protection from exploitation. This task force will provide much-needed resources and information, allowing immigrant families to thrive in our communities,” she stated.
Attorney General Brown noted the heightened vulnerability of immigrant communities to issues such as wage theft and housing fraud. He reaffirmed that the task force’s mission is to ensure these communities have access to essential services and the protections they deserve under the law. This groundbreaking initiative arrives at a critical moment when scams targeting immigrants are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
The Executive Order establishing the Maryland Immigrant Rights Protection Task Force outlines a comprehensive approach to tackle the challenges faced by immigrants. This includes engaging in community assessments to identify common barriers and formulating strategies that enhance multilingual support, legal assistance, and coordination among law enforcement and state agencies.
Members of this pioneering task force encompass representatives from various state entities, including the Maryland Department of Labor and the Civil Rights Commission. By fostering a collaborative framework, this task force represents a critical advancement in Maryland’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the rights and welfare of its immigrant population.
