Speakers back Frederick County Values Act limiting cooperation with ICE
About 20 speakers supported legislation that would generally restrict county employees from giving federal immigration officers access to county facilities or information without a federal warrant.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Bill 26-11 is called the Frederick County Values Act. It would generally restrict county employees from providing ICE access to county facilities and information without a federal warrant. Exceptions include emergency circumstances and legal requirements under federal or constitutional law. The bill does not impose penalties on county staff who cooperate with ICE. About 20 people spoke in favor at the hearing. Several supporters said the legislation should be stronger. The proposal has not yet become law.
About 20 people spoke in support of Frederick County’s proposed Values Act during a public hearing Tuesday, with several speakers urging county officials to go even further in limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Bill 26-11, known as the Frederick County Values Act, was introduced by County Council Vice President Kavonté Duckett and would codify existing county-government practices concerning federal immigration enforcement. The county’s official legislative record confirms the bill was introduced Sept. 1 and received its public hearing Sept. 22.
Under the proposal, county employees generally would be prohibited from granting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers access to county facilities or certain information without a federal warrant, subject to exceptions including emergency circumstances and applicable federal or constitutional requirements.
Existing county training already instructs employees to decline certain cooperation when immigration officers do not present federal warrants, while also telling employees not to physically obstruct federal officers.
The legislation does not establish penalties for county employees who choose to cooperate with ICE, regardless of the circumstances.
That limitation became one of the recurring themes at the hearing.
Ballenger Creek resident Andy Solages said he supported passage despite believing the bill lacked enforcement mechanisms. He and other speakers referenced recent federal immigration activity in the Tasker’s Chance area as part of their reason for supporting the measure.
Willie Mahone, president of the local NAACP chapter, said his organization supported the legislation but questioned whether the proposed emergency exception and county charter limitations weakened its effectiveness.
Social worker Kate Arnone told council members that fear surrounding immigration enforcement can discourage families from seeking public services.
She translated for two Spanish-speaking residents who also addressed the council.
One speaker identified as Marta of Frederick said the legislation could make immigrant residents feel safer when seeking county services but argued that stronger oversight and additional support were still necessary.
Golden Mile resident Amilcar de León also urged elected officials to provide greater support to immigrant communities.
The official county bill page lists the Values Act as pending following its Sept. 22 hearing.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Values Act would place existing county non-cooperation practices into law, but it would not create a blanket prohibition on contact with federal immigration authorities.
Supporters at the hearing generally favored the legislation while disagreeing over whether it provides enough enforcement, oversight and protection for immigrant residents.
The County Council must still decide whether to adopt, amend or reject the proposal.
Original reporting referenced by Everything Frederick:
The Frederick News-Post — Reporting by Erik Anderson; Frederick County Government →Want more Frederick updates like this?
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