Two days after becoming Montgomery County Council President, Natali Fani-González announced a new bill Thursday that aims to protect immigrants as ICE arrests and deportations continue to cause fear.
The Trust Act would codify a 2019 Montgomery County Executive Order that was intended to ensure the constitutional rights of county residents who are immigrants are not violated. The new bill would “expressly prohibit” discriminatory practices by the county toward immigrants, limiting county resources for federal immigration enforcement, and ensuring that county services are given regardless of immigration status, per a council release.
Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada and County Executive Marc Elrich joined a press conference with Fani-González and other councilmembers Thursday in Rockville to announce the bill.
“Every single member of the Montgomery County Council has signed on to this bill … that says a lot,” said Fani-González.
Fani-González will introduce the Trust Act during a council meeting Tuesday, Dec. 9.
