For Immediate Release: December 19, 2024

New Carrollton’s Landmark Legislation Seeks to Empower Immigrant Communities and Strengthen Local Democracy.

NEW CARROLLTON, MD – In response to the New Carrollton City Council’s 4-1 vote on amending the city’s charter to allow noncitizen voting, national organization CASA released the following statement from Alex Vazquez, Director of Maryland Organizing.

“CASA applauds the City of New Carrollton for taking a historic step toward inclusivity by adopting all-resident voting. Joining nearly a dozen municipalities across Maryland, last night’s 4-1 decision underscores the city’s commitment to empowering every voice in the community. This milestone affirms that all residents, regardless of immigration status, who contribute meaningfully to their community, deserve to have a say in shaping its future. New Carrollton is setting a powerful example of leadership in advancing an inclusive and participatory democracy.”

Fidelis Nkengayi, a Cameroonian CASA member and resident of New Carrollton, said, “I should be given the opportunity to help make decisions and choose my leaders in this city. I pay taxes here and participate in community activities. New Carrollton is my home.”

Eleven municipalities in the state of Maryland expanded democracy with noncitizen voting, allowing everyone regardless of immigration status to vote in local city elections. In Prince George’s County, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, Colmar Manor, and Cheverly have all adopted all-resident voting. This past September, the town of Frederick amended their charter to extend voting rights to people regardless of immigration status, and 30 years ago, it passed in Takoma Park, Montgomery County, as well. 

“Serving as the first Latino person in our government has been an honor; but bringing forth legislation that opens pathways for participation from the previously excluded groups of immigrants in our community is an honor I share with the three colleagues who helped me pass it, the elected leaders from across the state who supported me, and the residents who were vulnerable in sharing their stories and resilient when knocking doors in the winter. We share in this victory together. The victory belongs to those we were fighting for, and I will do all I can to fight for our community at City Hall,” said Council Chair Briana Urbina.

New Carrollton is a vibrant and diverse community, where approximately 39% of its residents were born outside of the United States with different immigration statuses, ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, and more. In 2022, immigrants paid an estimated $779.3 million in total taxes in Maryland, a significant portion of which directly supported their communities. 

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With over 173,000 lifetime members across 46 US states, CASA is a national powerhouse organization building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. CASA creates change with its power building model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members. www.wearecasa.org