Montgomery County councilmembers unanimously passed the County Values Act that prohibits immigration enforcement activities in many locations and creates an online portal to allow residents to report “unauthorized or harmful immigration enforcement activity.”
Following Tuesday’s adoption, signs will now be posted on county property stating that immigration enforcement is not permitted. This includes county parking lots, garages and vacant lots among other areas.
The signs also will be available to private businesses upon request.
Sponsored by Councilmember Kristin Mink, the act also calls for staff training at county buildings to ensure that judicial warrant requirements are followed, and that county employees understand they are not authorized to consent to access by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Councilmember Kate Stewart, a co-sponsor of the act, said, “As we witness the impacts of the cruel policies of the federal administration on our neighbors and community, we must act. The Values Act reaffirms the county’s values of inclusiveness, dignity and justice and maintaining community trust by clearly separating county services and spaces from federal civil immigration enforcement. The Values Act puts in place the processes, guidance on responding, and training for our County to face these situations.”
Will Jawando, another cosponsor, added commentary on what has been seen by others across the country. “We reject these practices, and will use every available tool to stand up for our residents and the rule of law.”
Gaby Rivera, a lead with the Montgomery County Immigrant Rights Collective (MoCo IRC) called passage of the County Values Act “an important part of turning Montgomery County’s stated goals into meaningful actions to protect our community from the fear, intimidation, and abuse being perpetuated by the Federal government.”
Rev. Michael Vanacore of Pilgrim United Church of Christ, a clergy leader with Action in Montgomery, said his organization fully supported the act.
“My tradition tells me that in Christ ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female,’ but that we are all heirs to the promise given to Abraham,” Vanacore said. “The Values Act is an important step in the fight to extend the promise of safety and security to everyone regardless of immigration status, whenever they access our public facilities. I am grateful to our County leadership for passing this bill and I pray that they will continue to increase in faith and courage in this fight.”
The council also is considering other legislation that would require ICE agents not to wear masks and to clearly identify themselves. Previously, councilmembers adopted the Trust Act, which codified the county’s current policies of limiting cooperation with ICE and provides for services to all residents regardless of their immigration status.
