Howard County is involved in a fight about the issue of immigration, with the county council considering a bill that would turn the area into a ‘sanctuary city’ – this is where undocumented immigrants are safe from immigration authorities. It has resulted in fiery arguments from people on both sides.
Council member, Calvin Ball, co-sponsored the bill, which would limit the ways in which county employees have to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. He believes that diversity should be embraced and celebrated in Howard County, rather than just tolerated. Sanctuary status has already been declared by several other local jurisdictions, such as Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and Baltimore City. Ball insists that undocumented immigrants should not be targeted solely because of their immigration status.
County Executive, Alan Kittleman, is less impressed with the idea – saying that it is not something the people of Howard County want and that he will veto it even if it is passed by the City Council. Kittleman says he is worried about the possible effect on public safety of such legislation, and that it is a bad idea to take away the tool of making agreements with federal immigration agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
President-Elect, Donald Trump’s warning that he may pull federal funding from such ‘sanctuary cities’ is another point of concern. But, the council is proceeding and Ball hopes that the community will be able to come together on the issue.