In a decisive move, the Howard County Council has taken a firm stand against the establishment and operation of ICE detention centers within its jurisdiction. According to CBS News Baltimore, two emergency bills were passed yesterday, with one prohibiting the use of private buildings as detention centers and the other limiting ICE access to county facilities and property.
The first of the emergency bills, introduced by County Executive Calvin Ball, addresses concerns that arose when a building in Elkridge was suspected of being renovated into an ICE facility. The permit issued to a third-party company for the building's renovation was successfully revoked by the county. As WBAL-TV reported, this bill received unanimous support from council members, with around 50 community members attending the hearing to voice their concerns and support for the legislation.
The second bill, as reported by CBS News Baltimore, was spearheaded by Councilwoman Liz Walsh and aims to establish clear guidelines for how county employees should respond to ICE presence. Despite a lone dissenting vote from councilman David Yungmann, the bill passed with strong support. Yungmann raised concerns about imposing "an absurd obligation" on employees to potentially interfere with law enforcement or face losing their jobs.
During a public hearing, Howard County residents expressed overwhelming support for the bills, with many highlighting the diversity of the community and its commitment to supporting its immigrant population. Among the voices of the community, Carroll Gates, a resident, underscored the importance of clear signage indicating the restrictions on ICE, which, due to a vulnerability of the immigrant community, she deemed "very important," as CBS News Baltimore detailed.
Both bills are set to become effective immediately as emergency legislation, as per WBALTV. Howard County has a history of opposing ICE activities, previously passing the Liberty Act in 2020 to protect the privacy of residents' immigration statuses and limit local assistance in deportation actions.
