A group of Maryland sheriffs said they were told to expect an increase in federal immigration enforcement following the state’s move to ban local cooperation agreements.

The sheriffs met Wednesday during their monthly meeting with the acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Baltimore field office, Vernon Liggins, one day after Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill fast-tracked by the legislature.

At a news conference following the meeting on Wednesday, Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis predicted ICE’s presence would grow as a result.

“They’re going nowhere. In fact, they’re going to intensify their effort,” said Lewis, a Republican. “Mark my word: You will see a dramatic increase in the presence of ICE in this state.”

The prediction comes as Maryland has been bracing for a surge in federal immigration enforcement similar to those seen in other states. But so far, many local and state officials say they have been frustrated in their efforts to get a sense of any larger plan, including tracking down difficult to verify tips, such as a new stash of ICE vehicles in a Baltimore parking garage.

Darren Popkin, executive director of the Maryland Sheriff’s Association, said in an interview Wednesday night that Liggins told the sheriffs that there has already been an increase in the number of agents assigned to the Baltimore office in recent months. And while he didn’t give them specifics, Liggins said that increases in other states have tended to follow when local governments curb cooperation and enforcement, Popkin said.

Maryland’s new law will immediately end so-called 287(g) programs in nine counties. The ban will not prevent state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agencies when the latter are pursuing those convicted of violent crimes, but draws a “clear line” between constitutional policing and a federal agency that does not practice the same standards, the governor said.

Republican lawmakers argued the move will complicate federal law enforcement’s ability to identify undocumented immigrants, and several Republican sheriffs have said they’ll still work closely with ICE officials.

Speculation of ramped-up ICE activity in and around Baltimore has abounded for months. In Western Maryland, the Department of Homeland Security bought an 825,000-square-foot warehouse with plans to retrofit it into a detention facility for up to 1,500 immigrants, while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has opened an office in Hunt Valley for its attorneys.

Recently, about 50 new law enforcement vehicles have been stored in a state-owned garage at the Symphony Center complex in Baltimore’s Midtown-Belvedere neighborhood. At least two had ICE parking placards on the dashboards.

Symphony Center is leased to its developer, David S. Brown Enterprises, and the garage is privately operated. The complex is also home to Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s congressional district office.

“Given ICE’s lawless actions in communities across America, I’m extremely concerned about the staging of these vehicles and what that means. I’ve been seeking answers both from ICE and building management, but so far have received none,” Van Hollen, a Democrat, said in a statement.

Representatives from David S. Brown Enterprises could not immediately be reached for comment.

Asked if the vehicles were simple fleet upgrades or a sign of expanded staffing, ICE pointed to the latter.

“With the ICE workforce growing exponentially, fleet vehicles are a necessary piece of equipment for onboarding officers and agents,” said spokesperson Casey Latimer.

Latimer said ICE has more than doubled their officers and agents nationwide. “With these new patriots on the team, we will be able to accomplish what many say was impossible and fulfill President Trump’s promise to make America safe again.”