Sanctuary State

Maryland Democrats Try Again To Create Sanctuary State 

By Brad Botwin

House Bill 338 “Criminal Procedure-Civil Immigration Enforcement-Restrictions”House Bill 403 “Immigration Enforcement –Public Schools, Hospitals & Courthouses-Policies”

House Bill 677  “Correctional Services-Immigration Detention-Prohibition- (so-called)Dignity Not Detention Act”

Here we go again.  The Maryland House has introduced legislation (HB338, HB403 &HB677), three blatant, politically motivated bills promoting state sanctuary, introduced for the sole benefit of Maryland’s growing illegal alien population and their local handlers. 

Our jails and communities. Specifically, the three bills, in neo-Confederate fashion will: 

- PROHIBIT STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM HONORING ALL U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) DETAINER REQUESTS FOR ANY ILLEGAL ALIEN OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE FROM CUSTODY;

- PROHIBIT STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM ASKING ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OR PLACE OF BIRTH OF ANY ARRESTED INDIVIDUAL, OR STOPPING, ARRESTING, SEARCHING OR DETAINING AN INDIVIDUAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS OR EXECUTING ICE WARRANTS;

-REQUIRE THE MARYLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL (BRIAN FROSH) TO “ADVISE” PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND COURTHOUSES TO LIMIT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES ON THEIR PREMISES;

-REQUIRE MARYLAND COUNTIES (FREDERICK, CECIL AND HARFORD) THAT ARE PARTNERED WITH ICE THROUGH THE FEDERAL 287G PROGRAM TO END THEIR SUCCESSFUL FORCE-MULTIPLER LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION.

-PROHIBIT THE STATE OF MARYLAND FROM SUBCONTRACTING WITH PRIVATE DETENTION FACILITIES TO HOLD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DETAINEES.

These are just a few of the lawless sections of these three bills. As we have seen in other sanctuary jurisdictions, such as the State of California and New York City, refusal to allow state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does little to help those here illegally (but not committing crimes). Instead, sanctuary jurisdictions endanger law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants who are subject to increased levels of crime, rape, drugs, prostitution and Hispanic MS-13 gang violence by brazen, often repeat offenders, well aware that sanctuary status is nothing more than a get out of jail free card for their criminal alien status.  

Montgomery County, Maryland is another perfect example of Sanctuary Policy gone wrong.  Last year, there were hundreds and hundreds of sexual assaults and rapes in the county, a massive increase over 2018, many committed by illegal aliens and MS-13 gang members, illegal aliens and gang members that in most cases were known to county law enforcement officials. And we all remember the carnage that took place in Montgomery County last summer where no less than nine young girls, 15 and under, were sexually assaulted and raped in a two month period by these law-breaking illegal aliens. 

Why are all three bills a bad idea for Maryland?

Creates An Unwanted Safe Haven – More illegal aliens=more K-12 education, healthcare, housing and social welfare costs which results in a declining standard of living for Marylanders. 

Waste Of Tax Dollars – All three bills will force the federal government to expend manpower and tax dollars to track down, arrest and house deportable criminals already arrested and held in Maryland jails.  At the end of the day we all pay the federal tax tab for this legislation.

Undermines Trust Between Law Enforcement and “Immigrants”-  The facts are that police do not inquire about immigration status of witnesses or victims of crime.  All citizens, legal immigrants and yes even illegal aliens (non-crime committing) deserve to be safe from criminals wanted by ICE.

Annapolis should trash all three bills and instead work across the aisle to promote Maryland’s economy and job opportunities for all citizens and legal immigrants. Uncontested illegal immigration is the problem in Maryland, not federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation activities targeting wanted criminal aliens. 

Stop standing on the sidelines and get involved.  Help Save Maryland!
Brad Botwin, District 19
Director, Help Save Maryland.org