Victory for Immigrants’ Rights and Data Privacy

In the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session, we helped pass the Data Privacy Act (HB711) in coalition with CASA and other partner organizations!

The Data Privacy Act of 2026 closes loopholes in earlier laws to protect personal data in Maryland state databases like driver’s license records from being shared with ICE.

Protecting data privacy is important for all Maryland residents. The Data Privacy Act will help people enroll their children in school, access healthcare, and apply for public benefits without fear of being tracked down by ICE. 

This February, ten leaders from the Maryland Just Power Alliance met with our State Senators and Delegates and attended a hearing to support the Data Privacy Act. Our members also sent over 150 emails asking our State Senators and Delegates to pass the bill.

Leslie Sussan, an AIM leader and retired lawyer and judge, shared in her testimony, "The government can only function when residents have basic trust that it is asking only for necessary information and is using it only in authorized ways."

Congratulations to our immigration team and everyone who helped make this victory happen!