The Baltimore County Council voted 5-2 to table the jail immigration screening bill. The bill would have required the county jail in Towson to join a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Program, known as 287(g).
The program trains correctional officers to carry out certain immigration enforcement actions. The bill was co-sponsored by the council's three Republican members.
After the vote, Kamenetz released the following statement:
"My Executive Order promotes public safety and upholds the Constitution. The Republican council bill was more about bringing Donald Trump’s divisive politics to our county than doing what is best for our residents. I'm glad the council didn't move forward with this legislation.”
The county executive's order prohibits Baltimore County law enforcement officers from arresting or detaining persons solely based on their immigration status. The executive order also states Baltimore County Police officers shall not inquire a person's immigration status to initiate civil enforcement of immigration proceedings, except in cases of a criminal warrant signed by a judicial official.
Baltimore County council just votes to table bill on whether officers will take on #immigration law enforcement functions. @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/IRdeOnry3m
— Nadia Singh (@NadiaSinghNews) June 5, 2017
