Gov. Wes Moore on Friday signed an executive order to create a 12-month statewide task force on immigrant rights protection.
Bringing together state agencies, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Comptroller, and other state leaders, the task force aims to address fraud and exploitation targeting immigrant communities in Maryland, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
Recently, immigrant communities in Maryland have reported the new schemes targeting immigrants for exploitation and abuse, taking advantage of fears surrounding immigration enforcement.
“Immigrant communities are particularly vulnerable to wage theft, housing scams, and workplace abuse in the current political climate,” Maryland Attorney General Brown said in a statement. “This Task Force brings State government together to ensure immigrant Marylanders have access to the services they need, protection they deserve, and the rights they are owed.”
Immigrants make up approximately 17% of Maryland’s state population, and 22% of the labor force, according to the statement. Despite this, immigrant communities have long faced discrimination and inability to access proper legal services, employment, and housing.
The ‘Creation of the Maryland Immigrant Rights Protection Task Force’ executive order will focus on the creation of the task force, directing the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to administer the force, understand common barriers that immigrant Marylanders face in enforcing their rights, and strengthen available educational and legal resources for immigrant communities in Maryland.
“Our immigrant communities contribute to the greatness of Maryland,” Moore said in a statement. “I have made it clear that we will not stand by while bad actors prey on immigrants in our communities. In forming this task force, we are demonstrating the unity and strength of our state when we join together against injustice.”
The full executive order can be found here.
