‘They are living in fear’: Baltimore County councilman introduces bill to protect immigrants
By Barry Simms
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TOWSON, Maryland (WBAL) — Two bills now before the Baltimore County Council are designed to protect immigrants.
The councilman who introduced the bills during a legislative session on Monday said he did it because he was moved by his faith.
Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka, D-District 2, said immigrant neighbors aren’t just part of the community, they are the community.
With the bills, Patoka hopes to protect immigrants in the county and reduce fear of encounters with ICE and other federal officers.
“Right now, in Baltimore County, they are living in fear, afraid to go to places of worship, afraid to go to work. Children sometimes don’t go to school,” Patoka said.
The bills call for protection from discrimination and unauthorized immigration enforcement by county employees, departments and agencies. They also call for due process under law and advocacy by creating an Office of Immigrant Affairs in the County Executive’s Office.
Patoka said the memorandum of understanding signed between Baltimore County and the federal government sparked the legislation.
The county signed an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. In October, the DOJ removed Baltimore County from its list of designated sanctuary jurisdictions.
In response to the bills, the County Executive’s Office said, in part: “Baltimore County’s immigrant communities are an important part of who we are and a vital part of our economy, culture, and neighborhoods. As these pieces of legislation move forward, we will review them and continue working with the County Council to ensure our policies continue to serve the best interests of all Baltimore County residents.”
Not everyone is for the legislation, though.
“Sanctuary status or anything like that would defy federal immigration enforcement and invite chaos, and by refusing to cooperate with the feds, we risk losing $500 million in federal funding,” said Tim Fazenbaker, a Dundalk resident.
Patoka pushed back.
“In my experience, the two extreme emotions we have are love and hate, and I’m going to move forward with these two bills with love — and push back on hate,” Patoka said.
There will be two work sessions for the bills in January. The final reading and vote is Feb. 2.
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