After two people were detained by ICE from Gaithersburg’s Bohrer Park Activity Center parking lot, Gaithersburg residents are calling on city officials to do more. Residents say they have not gotten any meaningful communication on the city’s policy when it comes to ICE.
A mother of three was detained on July 28. Her eldest child spoke out at a rally Friday at Gaithersburg’s concert pavilion, adjacent to City Hall and the Gaithersburg Police Department.
“My family has been ripped apart by ICE,” said Lucia, a student at Gaithersburg High School. Her mother and aunt were both detained and there were multiple witnesses, according to protesters.
“The city allowing for ICE to roam around freely is disgusting,” she said. “Them trying to ignore the outrage and pretend that nothing happened is extremely disturbing.”
Protesters want the city to speak up and improve communications around ICE enforcement They want the city to adopt immigration laws similar to those at the county level. The County Values Act prohibits ICE activities in county-owned parking lots and garages. These Gaithersburg community members want that same policy held at the Gaithersburg City level.
“It’s time to speak up about our city choosing to turn a blind eye to this situation,” Lucia said.
In a statement to MCM, Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, who is on MCM’s Board of Directors, said:
“The City of Gaithersburg recognizes how unsettling the presence of ICE officials at Bohrer Park last week was for many in our community. Families arriving for programs should feel safe and welcomed, and we are deeply concerned that Tuesday’s activity caused fear and confusion for children, parents, and staff.
For nearly 20 years, the City has upheld a clear policy: we do not enforce federal immigration law, and our police officers do not ask about immigration status during routine interactions. While we do not control or receive advance notice of federal operations, we remain fully committed to responding in ways that best support our residents. At the same time, we are mindful of the harm that unverified information can cause, especially within immigrant communities already experiencing heightened fear.
Gaithersburg’s diversity is a cornerstone of who we are, and we continue expanding multilingual resources, staff training, and connections to community support so residents can use City services without fear that we act as an arm of immigration enforcement. Our dedication to these values is unwavering.
We welcome practical ideas from residents and community partners as we work to ensure every person in Gaithersburg feels safe, respected, and included.”
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