WASHINGTON 鈥斅燭wo Howard County, Maryland, council members have sponsored a bill that would prevent police and sheriff鈥檚 deputies from inquiring about someone鈥檚 immigration status 鈥� unless they were investigating a crime that had been committed.
The bill sponsored by council members Calvin Ball and Jen Terrasa would also apply to school officials, for example.
Council member Calvin Ball said he was moved to craft the legislation after hearing from residents who were brought to the United States as children but didn鈥檛 have legal status. Among those Ball said he鈥檚 heard from are 鈥淐ollege students who鈥檇 gone through the Howard County Public Schools 鈥� they were concerned about being targeted because of their immigration status. And when I hear stories like that, I just feel compelled to stand up for them.鈥�
Ball said he does not oppose the enforcement of immigration laws 鈥� he just thinks that the local government should not be performing a role assigned to the federal government. 鈥淭he federal government should follow the federal law. My job as a Howard County council member is to help with Howard County laws.鈥�
鈥淲e are currently reviewing the legislation with the departments and offices that would be impacted to understand its full implications for County government and residents,鈥� said County Executive Allan H. Kittleman.
The bill, CB9-2017, is being introduced to the full council. Hearings on the bill are scheduled for later this month.
Read a copy of the proposed bill:
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