While the immigration debate continues on the federal level, several Republican lawmakers in Maryland are asking Gov. Wes Moore to take more action addressing immigration issues, following the arrest in the Rachel Morin case.
In a letter sent to the governor Monday, more than a dozen lawmakers asked for “clarification regarding Maryland’s current sanctuary state policy toward undocumented immigrants.” The letter continues to say, “local law enforcement is advised that they are not permitted to hold non-citizens specifically for an ICE detainer. Still, no law prohibits law enforcement from notifying ICE before releasing a suspect from their facility.”
They requested that Moore “provide clear instructions” to “ensure that ICE is given at least four hours of notice when an undocumented immigrant with an active detainer is being released back into the community.”
In a separate press release from the Maryland General Assembly Joint Republican Caucus, lawmakers called on the governor “to roll back the public policies that have made Maryland a sanctuary state.”
While Del. Jesse Pippy, a Republican representing Frederick County, pointed to several laws, one law in particular that he voiced concern about was the Dignity not Detention Act, which prohibits state and local governments from entering into or renewing an immigration detention agreement. It also states a law enforcement agent may not, during the performance of regular police functions, transfer an individual to federal immigration authorities unless required by federal law.
“We understand that the immigration system is broken, but at a minimum we have a responsibility to keep Marylanders safe now, and we need to make sure there are things in place to do just that,” Pippy said.
In recent interviews, Moore has acknowledged issues with immigration.
“Harford County, in our state where this brutal murder happened, is 1,800 miles away from the border,” Moore said in an interview with FOX News referring to the Morin case. “So when people think this is only impacting a few states, this is impacting every single one of us.”
However, Moore said the issue was due to a lack of meaningful policy passed by Congress.
In another letter to Matthew Fader, the Chief Justice of the Maryland Supreme Court, several state Republican lawmakers requested that “judges be strongly encouraged to impose a springing order, or take similar action” on convicted criminals who are living in Maryland illegally with known ICE detainers to ensure they are deported by ICE rather than released into the community. A spokesperson for the Maryland Judiciary said they are in receipt of the letter and are reviewing it.
