Author

William J. Ford

William J. Ford

William J. Ford has reported for more than 25 years on local, county and state politics. Before Maryland Matters, he spent nearly 10 years covering municipalities, regional news and occasional news features with sports angles at The Morning Call in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He wrote for Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, and was a reporter for seven years with The Washington Informer, covering local politics and other D.C.-area topics. He often appears on local radio and TV programs to discuss Maryland politics.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks to protesters who held a prayer vigil and rally on his behalf outside of the ICE office in Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday,  Aug. 25, 2025. Lydia Walther Rodriguez with CASA interprets for him. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

Abrego Garcia arrested by ICE as judge orders postponement of deportation to Uganda
BY: and - August 25, 2025

BALTIMORE — Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore early Monday for a prayer vigil for the wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the Trump administration aims to re-deport to Uganda unless he pleads guilty to Justice Department charges. As Abrego Garcia arrived for his Monday ICE check-in […]

Civil rights, democracy hits put Black America in ‘state of emergency,’ National Urban League says
BY: - July 18, 2025

Since taking office Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has issued executive orders that forced businesses, schools, universities and state and federal agencies to dismantle all diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Describing Black America as in a “state of emergency,” the National Urban League said the directives show the federal government is “determined to sacrifice its […]

Congressional Black Caucus marks historic firsts as it membership hits record
BY: - January 3, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With a record 62 elected Black officials, including historic firsts of two women senators and two representatives from Alabama, the Congressional Black Caucus held a swearing-in ceremony Friday morning before members took the oath of office for the 119th U.S. Congress. Democrats Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware […]

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