Montgomery County councilmembers unanimously agreed to prohibit privately owned immigration detention centers from opening in the county on Tuesday. The law repeats the newly adopted state legislation and will have the same effect.
Under the county’s ICE Out Act, building and occupancy permits cannot be issued to a private entity trying to open an immigration detention facility.
“ICE is having a chilling affect here and across the country,” said Councilmember Evan Glass, the bill’s sponsor. He called it important that the county adopt this legislation before any building requests for immigration detention facilities are made.
“We are being proactive to protect our immigrant neighbors,” Glass said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “We have to use every tool possible.”
Councilmember Dawn Luedtke questioned the council’s action as “The state’s bill essentially does what Councilmember Glass’s does.”
Council’s Senior Legislative Attorney Livhu Ndou agreed. “It would mimic, duplicate the state law.” Still, councilmembers agreed to go on record locally.
“We are so proud to be Montgomery County,” Council President Natali Fani-González said.
Preventive Action
This legislation arose after ICE purchased a warehouse in Hagerstown, creating additional motivation for councilmembers to enact local preventive measures. Many in the county were already upset with ICE arrests and the deportation threats residents faced.
“In Montgomery County, we will not wait for an immigration detention facility to be proposed — we are ensuring it is never built in the first place. As one of the most diverse communities in America, Montgomery County will continue to stand firmly in defense of every resident and their safety, dignity and rights,” Glass said.
ICE detention centers “raise concerns about transparency, accountability and basic human rights,” noted Fani-González. “This legislation draws a bright line: the values of our County cannot coexist with facilities that undermine due process, public trust and humane treatment.”
Councilmembers also have proposed Unmask Ice Act. The council will vote on that proposal on April 28. It is expected to pass unanimously.
