The majority of Marylanders say they support cooperation between local and federal law enforcement when arresting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes — that’s according to a new Gonzales Research & Media poll released Wednesday.

The poll asked 811 registered voters: “Do you support or oppose requiring local officials in Maryland to cooperate with federal law enforcement agents in their effort to arrest and deport aliens in Maryland who have committed crimes?”

Of those surveyed, 76% said they support local cooperation with federal immigration officials. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.

“The only thing that a local, county or state government really can do to hinder Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is to not turn over prisoners, people in jail for a local crime that their police officers arrested them for,” said Maryland ICE Director Mathew Elliston.

Elliston says right now, only a handful of jurisdictions block their jails from honoring immigration detainers. However, he fears under a Trump administration more will follow suit. Elliston argues sanctuary policies don’t prevent ICE from making arrests, they simply require more manpower, tax dollars, and increase the risk to police and public safety.

Last September, a group of Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calling for an executive order requiring all jurisdictions to honor ICE detainers.

“He didn’t even have the courtesy of responding to that letter. That’s how not serious he takes this issue, and it’s time for him to take this issue very seriously,” said Del. Ryan Nawrocki, a Republican who represents Baltimore County District 7A.

Pointing to the new polling, Nawrocki says it’s clear the public wants change.

This session, he’s cosponsoring a series of bills that would implement new statewide immigration policies. But how that legislation will poll in Annapolis remains unclear.

“This is not a partisan issue. This is a bipartisan issue,” said Nawrocki. “The American public wants action. Marylanders want action on this issue.”

Have a news tip? Contact Rebecca Pryor at rpryor@sbgtv.com.