Protecting Our Communities

Once again this year, legislation has been introduced to make Maryland a sanctuary state. Under this legislation, when state or local law enforcement have someone in custody who is an illegal immigrant, they would be prohibited from contacting federal authorities, even if those individuals had immigration detainers. Last year, this bill was called the "Trust Act", and it passed the House but failed in the Senate. This year, the bill is called the "Safe Act" and had a hearing in the House this week. No matter what its deceptive title would lead you two believe, this bill has one aim: to make Maryland a sanctuary state. Our members will continue to fight the passage of this bill.

Our members have cosponsored HB 1308 - Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2018. This bill requires State or local correctional facilities to transfer to federal authorities any illegal immigrants serving sentences in the facility. Data shows that 63% of Marylanders favor transferring illegal immigrants into federal custody if they have committed crimes. Substantial majorities in the Baltimore suburbs (66%), Eastern Shore (78%), and Western Maryland (78%) favor this policy. Majorities in Baltimore City (51%) and the Washington suburbs (53%) also support this transfer. HB 1308 is common sense legislation that gives the people what they want; protection from criminals.