Members of the Baltimore City Council plan to introduce two new bills during the council’s Monday night’s meeting aimed at protecting residents from from unlawful Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.
Councilmembers Odette Ramos (District 14), Paris Gray (District 8), and Mark Parker (District 1) will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. Monday to announce the bills.
The first bill is named “Baltimore City Policies and Procedures – Safe Spaces and Communities.” It requires city government agencies to create and implement a plan to protect public spaces by limiting ICE activity in private spaces in city-owned and operated offices, buildings, schools, libraries, and parks. The bill also restricts the city from using government resources, personnel, or funds to coordinate or collaborate with ICE actions taking place in Baltimore.
The second bill calls for Maryland legislators to pass bills banning 287(g) agreements with ICE. These agreements turn state and local police forces into branches of ICE, effectively deputizing local law enforcement as ICE agents with little to no training. The bill also bans federal law enforcement officials from wearing masks while they carry out immigration enforcement operations.
The lead sponsors and City Council President Zeke Cohen decried the increased ICE presence and activity in Baltimore City, emphasizing the urgency of using whatever tools they have to protect residents.
“The Baltimore City Council will not allow City resources to be weaponized against the people we serve,” Cohen said in a statement before the press conference. “All of Baltimore’s children and families deserve to attend school, visit libraries, and access city services without fear. As the Grandson of refugees, I know that immigrants add vibrancy to our city and they will always be welcome here.”
“Our Latine and immigrant community in Baltimore City and nationwide is hurting right now,” Ramos said. “We cannot turn a blind eye to what they’re going through. ICE is here in our city, terrorizing our neighborhoods. Families are planning for separation and our children are too scared to go to school. This is unacceptable. Our goal is to ensure our Latine and immigrant neighbors feel safe accessing the city services and public spaces they’re entitled to, just like any Baltimore resident. They have and continue to positively contribute to our city every day. We must do everything we can to protect our communities, regardless of the language they speak or where they were born.”
“Baltimore will not stand by while our communities continue to be harmed and our residents’ civil liberties and due process are violated,” Gray said. “It is our responsibility as lawmakers to ensure that government actions are both effective and lawful. Our residents deserve safety that is rooted in fairness, transparency, and respect for their rights. We are saying clearly—Baltimore will not accept harm in the name of safety, and we will not trade our civil liberties and due process for systems built on fear and control.”
Both the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate have overwhelmingly approved a bill to ban 287(g) agreements. The legislation would go into effect once the governor signs it, which could happen as early as this week. Right now, nine Maryland counties have 287(g) agreements with ICE. If Moore signs a bill banning them, the practice would end in Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Garrett, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Wicomico counties.
The press conference to discuss this legislation will begin at 4 p.m. inside City Council Chambers. A Baltimore City Public Schools student will also speak. The legislation has already been co-sponsored by Councilmembers Zac Blanchard (District 11), Mark Conway (District 4), Jermaine Jones (District 12), Phylicia Porter (District 10), and James Torrence (District 7).
