Remarks on Bills 26-0144 and 26-0046R

Last night, the world watched as Benito sent a message loud and clear. We are all Americans. He expanded the US’s definition of American being limited to just our country, to all of North, South, and Latin America. This completely makes sense. 

I am honored to work with Councilman Parker and Councilman Gray on the Safe Spaces and Communities Act. Our bill codifies the existing executive orders and policies set out by our City and BPD related to immigration enforcement. This legislation makes sure that BPD will not cooperate with ICE and our City agencies are trained and have plans for if ICE enters our city owned buildings, and anywhere that receives City funding. The bill prohibits asking about status and sharing information, as well as banning any law enforcement partnership with ICE including any potential detention center. 

ICE is already in Baltimore City. Children have come home from school and their parents are gone. Some children see their parents kidnapped right before their eyes. One of my constituents was in our great city, working, paying taxes, and being active in his community for over 44 years, and he’s been detained. The harm that this federal administration is causing to our Latine and immigrant families is unacceptable. They are not just going after the worst of the worst, they are going after anyone with a foreign sounding last name, an accent, or brown looking skin. This is racial profiling.

Our bill is also about getting ready. ICE is already here, kidnapping our residents. Our bill clarifies very strongly the role of BPD and of our City Agencies so there is no doubt about our role and commitment to protecting our communities. This clarity is necessary given the possibility of escalation of ICE as well.

At one of our previous meetings, I detailed directly how important this is to me as Baltimore’s first Latine/Hispanic elected official, and still the only one. Seeing our residents, my community, targeted in this fashion is appalling and deeply disturbing. I cannot stand by and hope and pray silently that by not doing or saying anything, things will get better. It just does not work that way. All of my colleagues know that it is very much in my nature to say what needs to be said, and fight hard for our communities. That’s what this bill does. I know I will be targeted, but we have to speak up, and take action.

There are things all Baltimore residents can do, but it is important to be trained. Residents can get trained today on what to do when they encounter ICE or border patrol. In these trainings, you will learn what to say as an ally bystander, your rights and the rights of the person being detained, and how to properly document and report ICE sightings. You can help with outreach and sharing this important information with others. You can also get trained for ICE watch to create neighborhood networks together to watch out for ICE and alert neighbors. You can sign up to accompany our residents who have ICE check ins or you can support the families who are separated. My office, CM Parker’s Office, and other community groups are organizing these trainings. We need everyone to be prepared. You will hear more from us as we work in collaboration with groups across Baltimore to continue this fight. Please reach out to our offices to get the information about these opportunities. 

Together, we can be prepared to address these unconstitutional actions, and join the fight against ICE. Thanks to my colleagues for their support, and I look forward to the hearing and eventual passage of this bill.