Howard County's Councilwoman Liz Walsh is set to introduce an emergency bill that would see a significant reduction in interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by local authorities and entities. The legislation, announced amid a contentious social media incident involving Walsh, seeks not only to mandate publishing guidance on ICE interactions for county departments but also aims to invalidate local contracts with ICE.
Despite recent criticism for a post on social media that some say compromised a police operation, Walsh's bill is part of an ongoing effort to uphold the values of the Liberty Act, passed back in 2020. This county measure, endorsed by 64% of voters, prohibits county employees from collaborating in immigration enforcement, asking about immigration status, or discriminating on that basis. Walsh's post, mistakenly indicating ICE presence at a local elementary school, attracted criticism for potentially endangering police officers, a claim made by Jamie Flynn, president of the Howard County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 21, according to FOX Baltimore.
Simultaneously, another bill authored by County Executive Calvin Ball is up for consideration, which aims to put an end to privately owned detention facilities within the county. This action follows the revocation of a permit for an Elkridge building, potentially slated to become a detention center, as noted by WMAR-2 News. The public has been invited to express their opinions on these proposals in a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, following a demonstration of support which took place before Monday's council meeting.
According to WMAR-2 News, Chair Opel Jones expressed a near-certainty about the passage of Ball's bill, citing the support of four co-sponsors. The community has shown strong support for these measures, with individuals like Viviana Lozano from CASA expressing relief over the sanctuary that the legislation aims to provide. "It makes us feel like we are welcome here," Lozano said. Amid concerns over the presence and actions of ICE in Maryland, Jones also added that the council intends to maintain vigilance and ensure safety.
The voting on both pieces of legislation is expected to take place on Thursday, setting a potential precedent for future engagement and regulation concerning ICE activities in Howard County, Maryland.
