Statement
Joint Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Nancy Navarro on Immigrant Support
For Immediate Release: Friday 12 July
Montgomery County is a welcoming community that values the diversity of communities which are made up of people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and nations. Recently, there have been numerous reports that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal authorities will engage in raids or round ups of immigrants in coming days. These reports are, once again, causing concern, fear and disruption in our communities. Unfortunately, these threats have become routine for the Trump administration, so it is important that people know their civil rights in these situations.
These reports make it more difficult for local law enforcement departments to build trust with the people they are charged to serve and protect. We want the people of Montgomery County to know that our law enforcement and other support agencies will continue to follow local laws, rules and regulations. As a matter of policy, we do not inquire about anyone's immigration status to support immigration enforcement, nor do we conduct immigration raids or investigations. It's also important to know that the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation does not accept individuals into custody from ICE and it does not detain individuals beyond their release date. We also encourage residents to seek help from organizations that provide legal assistance and advice so individuals will know their rights if they are stopped or detained by ICE.
Each day County leaders are working together to make Montgomery County a more equitable and inclusive community. The president’s statements are counter to our vision and seek to erode all the work we have done, and are doing, to build trust in immigrant communities and to make our diverse County the most inclusive jurisdiction in the country. We cannot, and we will not, let this trust be destroyed.
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Release ID: 19-015