The mayor of Frederick, Maryland, has ignited a heated debate following his proposal to create a taxpayer-funded “legal advocacy fund” aimed at assisting immigrants potentially affected by the policies of President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration.
Democratic Mayor Michael O’Connor, reflecting on his Irish ancestors’ immigrant experience, expressed concern that Trump’s first term would adversely affect immigrants. In his announcement, O’Connor called for a budget appropriation to provide legal support to help immigrants “remain strong and stay in the community they have chosen to call home.”
“In many regards, this election did not go as I had hoped,” O’Connor said, referring to the national election outcome. His city, with a population of 86,000, is located halfway between Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
O’Connor’s comments followed the city council’s recent decision to grant voting rights to all residents of Frederick, regardless of their citizenship status. He emphasized that the city would continue its efforts to implement this policy and uphold the values of inclusion and community unity.
However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, denounced O’Connor’s plan as “appalling.” Green specifically referenced the case of Walter Javier Martinez, an MS-13 gang member who was convicted of the rape and murder of a young woman in nearby Harford County. Martinez, who was released to a sponsor in Frederick before committing the crime, pleaded guilty to the murder in August.
Green warned that O’Connor’s stance could lead to a misunderstanding of local authorities’ role in enforcing immigration laws, stressing the responsibility of public officials to prioritize the safety of U.S. citizens.
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins also criticized the mayor’s plan, describing it as “totally inappropriate.” He argued that it could anger taxpayers and result in increased criminal activity, fueled by a false belief that immigrants would be protected from federal action. Jenkins further claimed that private advocacy groups, not local governments, should handle legal support for immigrants.
Jenkins, who oversees law enforcement outside Frederick city limits, stated that he fully supports the federal immigration policies of the Trump administration and its incoming border czar, Tom Homan. He reiterated that local and county agencies are not authorized to enforce immigration laws.
In contrast, O’Connor framed his proposal as a patriotic stand to protect immigrants in the face of uncertain federal policies. “While we cannot predict every policy or action this administration may take, we will ensure that Frederick remains a place where everyone feels safe and respected,” he said.
The mayor emphasized that the Frederick Police Department would continue to operate without questioning individuals’ immigration status, and would not assist in federal immigration enforcement. “We refuse to aid and abet outside agencies attempting to detain, deport, or remove any residents,” O’Connor declared.
The Frederick Police Department echoed this sentiment, stating that it has never inquired about immigration status during interactions with residents. “Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal agencies, not the Frederick Police Department,” the department said in a statement.
In neighboring Anne Arundel County, Democratic County Executive Steuart Pittman expressed support for similar initiatives to protect immigrants from deportation. Governor Wes Moore also voiced concern over the nation’s broken immigration system and called for reform, emphasizing the need for a “fair and humane immigration system.”
As Maryland’s political landscape reacts to these developments, the future of Frederick’s proposed legal advocacy fund remains uncertain, with debates over immigration policy likely to intensify in the coming months.
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