CASA, Legislators, Allies, and Faith Leaders Rallied to Protect Maryland’s Immigrants
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Music, food, song, and chanting colored the Annapolis Statehouse as hundreds convened in a rally led by immigrant powerhouse CASA. Marylanders urged state legislators to protect the state’s immigrant communities. Ten-year-old “Tony” detailed his immigrant story to the cheering crowd of children, immigrants, faith leaders, organizations, and allies, underscoring the need for CASA’s Immigrant Protection Package, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, Maryland Data Privacy Act, and the Maryland Values Act.
The brave 10-year-old activist “Tony” took the stage wearing an animal mask, sharing what it is like to be a child in these uncertain and difficult times: “I am here to raise my voice for kids and families who are scared. My friends and I are just kids. We shouldn’t be afraid to be out and go places. We don’t want to feel that way. We want to talk to our friends, play outside and go to school. I love going to school. Math is my favorite class, and my favorite color is blue. I have dreams. One of my big dreams when I grow up is to be a firefighter so that I can help people. Now, we need the adults to protect us.” His favorite memory of playing soccer is how he once scored the winning goal of his school’s game, making his mom proud.
This is why hundreds came out to Annapolis to show “Tony” and other immigrants across the state they stand with immigrants and want legislators to pass these bills. The first bill, which was filed last week is the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (SB828/HB1006). This act establishes clear guidelines on limiting ICE access to sensitive locations, including schools, courthouses, hospitals, places of worship, and other vital spaces. The next bill is the Maryland Data Privacy Act. This bill requires that ICE must have a warrant to access the private state and local agency data of Maryland residents. Immigrant families should access critical government services without worrying that their information will be shared with federal immigration authorities without a warrant. The last bill in the package is the Maryland Values Act. This legislation terminates 287(g) agreements that allow local police to act as ICE agents. These agreements have been repeatedly abused, enabling racist sheriffs to racially profile and target marginalized communities. Ending these programs is essential for restoring public trust between law enforcement and communities of color.
In addition to CASA members and community allies, numerous elected officials also came and spoke. They included Maryland Legislative Black Caucus Chair, Del. Jheanelle K. Wilkins, Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus House, and Chair Del. Jared Solomon, sponsors of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (HB1006). Del. Lorig Charkoudian, and Sen. Clarence Lam, sponsors of The Data Privacy Act.
Additional legislative speakers included, Chair of the Prince George’s County Delegation, Del. Nicole Williams, sponsor of the Maryland Values Act, and Del. Ashanti Martinez, Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus Chair. Chair Martinez said, “I know that all of us here understand what’s on our shoulders – the responsibility that we have to make sure that every family, no matter what your status is, feels protected, loved, seen, and valued here in Maryland. We value personhood more than status.”
Allies and community partners of CASA also spoke out in support, including Zainab Chaudry, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Solomon Ayalew, DMV Chapter Director of African Communities Together. Frederick City Council President, Katie Nash spoke passionately about ending 287(g) agreement in Frederick through the passage of the Maryland Values Act.
Capping off the rally was CASA Member Julia Fernandez. She told the crowd, “I am a proud Garifuna, Afro-Latina woman, and a proud immigrant! For many years, I called Maryland home, and I recently became a United States citizen. When I came to this country more than 40 years ago, I never imagined that there would be a President in office who hated my community so much. Since the President took office, day after day after day, we have seen policies that target and attack immigrants, tearing families apart and criminalizing people for simply seeking a better life. My message today is simple. We are not going anywhere. I’m here to call for an end to the 287g program here in Maryland! This program turns local police officers into federal ICE agents! That is not the Maryland I believe in.”
ICE is a rogue agency that causes immense harm to immigrant communities, from egregious conditions in ICE detention centers, to the lack of accountability in their policing practices. ICE is responsible for the targeting, detainment, and family separation of hundreds of thousands of people. If passed these bills will help to hold ICE accountable in Maryland.
Maryland residents who support immigrant justice, can also advocate directly for these bills by signing the petition. In addition to advocating for the legislative package, CASA has organized its members and the community through public education Know Your Rights trainings and runs a massive rapid response program in response to ICE encounters, which includes a national ICE tip hotline.
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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 powerbuilding 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
