U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials announced March 1 that they had reached a “landmark agreement” with Montgomery County concerning immigration detainers.
According to ICE officials, during a Feb. 27 meeting, the county “has agreed to honor” immigration detainers.
However, Montgomery County officials were more low key following the meeting, noting that no policy changes were made. Both sides agreed that better communication was a major topic.
Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard issued a statement noting that the county “had a productive discussion about improved communications and operational challenges with custody transfers. The county cleared up some misconceptions about our policy on immigration and enforcement and ICE underscored their need for more notice prior to release.”
Council President Andrew Friedson reiterated that Montgomery County is not a sanctuary county during his Monday meeting with the press. He explained that the county will strive to give ICE more than 48 hours’ notice before releasing a suspect with a detainer request.
Friedson, who did not attend the meeting as it was between the county executive branch and ICE, said he understood that the county “will work to find more common ground” when it comes to the fate of violent suspects.
The meeting did not bring about changes in policy but rather discussions on protocol and recommitment, Friedson said.
“Montgomery County is not a sanctuary county in that we follow the law,” he said. The county coordinates with federal law enforcement, but it also follows guidelines set by the state attorney general’s office on how long a suspect can be retained.
ICE officials described the “closed-door session” as one designed to create a better working relationship.
“We are extremely encouraged by the progress made during the meeting with the Montgomery County Executive Committee,” said ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) Baltimore Field Office Director Darius Reeves in a news release. “Both of our organizations are committed to forging a mutually beneficial path toward working together in the future. I think we all want the same thing: Safer and more secure neighborhoods for our residents.”
Reeves explained that his office did not expect the county to hold noncitizens past their release dates but would appreciate better notification from county officials “regarding release dates for the most egregious offenders.”
ERO Baltimore is concerned with public safety and removing drug dealers, gang members, murderers and rapists, Reeves said in the news release. “We are not looking to remove the mother of three kids who was caught stealing diapers or baby formula from the local grocery store.”
Another meeting is planned, and ERO Baltimore offered the county resources and training for its Department of Corrections staff.
ERO Baltimore reaches landmark agreement with Montgomery County on immigration detainers. @MoCoCouncilMD @MontgomeryCoMD https://t.co/RjY7CtivU0 pic.twitter.com/mGJK7Gaz5Y
— ERO Baltimore (@EROBaltimore) March 2, 2024
