Statement
Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on Trump Administration's "Sanctuary Jurisdiction" Designation
For Immediate Release: Thursday 29 May
Today the Trump Administration released a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions,” and Montgomery County was included.
We are not in violation of federal law, and we will not be making changes based on political headlines. Montgomery County has always cooperated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cases involving violent crimes, serious felonies, and threats to public safety. That has been and remains our policy.
Executive Order 135-19, which governs our interaction with federal immigration enforcement, has been legally reviewed and upheld by two Maryland Attorneys General—Brian Frosh and Anthony Brown—and we have consistently followed it.
Now that we are officially listed, we will carefully review the federal government’s explanation for its criteria, what it is asking jurisdictions to do, and what the consequences are for not complying. That review will be done in consultation with our public safety leadership, the County Attorney’s Office, the County Council, our partners at the state level—including the Office of the Attorney General and the Governor—and neighboring jurisdictions also targeted by this action.
Our responsibility is to protect public safety for everyone who lives in Montgomery County, regardless of immigration status. We don’t ask about status when someone calls 911 or when children enroll in school. We are not going to let political rhetoric dictate how we treat people in our County.
This designation, like many other actions taken by this administration, is about criminalizing immigrants, not protecting public safety. We will not be complicit in efforts to stigmatize or target our immigrant communities. If these policies are carried out, they will not only tear families apart but also damage the economy. Immigrants are an essential part of our workforce and make vital contributions to our community’s culture and vibrancy. Businesses here and across the country would not function without them.
When I was a child growing up in Montgomery County, immigrants made up about five percent of our population. Today, more than one-third of our residents are foreign-born. They are our neighbors, our coworkers, and our friends.
I know that many members of our immigrant communities are afraid. These types of announcements are designed to create fear. But we do not govern by fear in Montgomery County. We govern by the law and by our values.
The Trump Administration’s ongoing attempts to divide communities and demonize immigrants are both morally bankrupt and economically reckless. And to frame these policies in religious terms—as though they are consistent with the teachings of any major faith—is deeply disturbing. Every major religion emphasizes compassion, mercy, and our responsibility to help the poor, feed the hungry, and shelter those in need.
Under the Trump Administration’s logic, County programs that provide shelter, food, or medical assistance could be construed as criminal acts of “harboring.” We reject that premise. Montgomery County, our nonprofits, and our faith-based institutions will continue to do what decent and compassionate people do—we will help those in need because it is the right thing to do.
For immigrant-related information and services, residents can visit the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center at montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist or at its Wheaton, East County, or Gaithersburg locations.
Montgomery County will continue to stand with all of our residents, including our immigrant residents. We will follow the law. But we will not abandon our values, we will not allow our communities to be divided, and we will not allow the contributions of our immigrant neighbors to be erased.
Media Contact: Office of Public Information, 240-777-6507
Release ID: 25-012