Community Leaders Rally Behind the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act to Block ICE from Maryland Schools and Protect Immigrant Families
ANNAPOLIS, MD – In response to increased ICE activity around Maryland schools following President Trump’s rescission of federal sensitive location guidelines, students, faith leaders, and community members, alongside immigrant advocacy powerhouse CASA, called out the Trump administration from Annapolis, pushing for the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. Maryland has seen increased activity from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after President Trump’s rescission of the federal sensitive location guidelines last week, prompting strong backlash from parents and education systems. A cornerstone of CASA’s Immigrant Justice Package, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, dropped this morning, is an emergency bill that creates state guidance around ICE access to schools, courthouses, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and other sensitive locations.
Matt Hornbeck, Principal of Hampstead Hill Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, said, “At Hampstead Hill Academy, we believe that school is the opposite of fear — it is a place of love, kindness, respect, and protection. But for many of our immigrant families, fear is a daily reality. No parent should have to worry that dropping their child off at school or attending a parent-teacher conference could lead to family separation. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act is a necessary step to ensure that schools and other vital spaces remain safe havens, free from the threat of enforcement actions that disrupt lives and instill fear in our communities.”
Jared Solomon, Chairman of Maryland Jewish Caucus and Delegate from Montgomery County, said, “As House Chair of the Jewish Caucus, I am guided by the fundamental Jewish values of protecting the vulnerable. This bill is about making sure that kids can go to school, parents can take their kids to the hospital, and families can worship without fear. These are not just Jewish values, they are also Maryland values. Our state must lead with compassion and fairness for all people.”
Maddy, student in Baltimore, Maryland Public Schools, said, “I am a student here in Maryland. School is supposed to be a place where we feel safe — a place where we can learn, grow, and plan for our futures. But for many of us, that safety is being taken away. Every day, some of my classmates walk into school with the fear that their parents might not be home when they get back. I’ve seen the worry in my friends’ eyes when they hear rumors about ICE being near our schools. No student should have to carry that fear with them while trying to focus on their education. We are here today to say that schools should be a place for learning, not for fear and deportation. Our families belong here. We belong here. And we will not be silent while our communities are under attack.”
Crisaly De Los Santos, Central Maryland Director, said, “ICE has no place in our schools. Already, in the first week of the new administration, we have seen reports of ICE circling schools, creating an atmosphere of fear for students and their families. No child should have to sit in a classroom wondering if their parent will be home when they return. No teacher should have to worry that their students or school staff could be targeted — instead of focusing on learning. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act is critical to ensuring that schools, hospitals, and courthouses remain places of education, healing, and justice, not deportation. Here in Maryland, we refuse to turn our backs on immigrant families, and we will fight to protect our kids.”
In addition to Chair Jared Solomon, the bill is also led by key members of the General Assembly leadership, including the Chair of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins from Montgomery County, and the Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, Senator William Smith. While these legislators were not in attendance, their leadership signifies strong support from Maryland leadership to protect the immigrant Marylanders.
Chair Jheanelle Wilkins reflects on ICE at schools, saying, “No one in Maryland should live in fear of being targeted in spaces intended to provide security, care, and justice. Schools, hospitals, and courthouses must remain havens, not sites of intimidation or harm by ICE. I am proud to sponsor this legislation to protect our most vulnerable and take a stand against policies rooted in cruelty. In Maryland, we must uphold our values of dignity and safety for everyone.”
Chair William Smith said, “The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act is about keeping our communities safe and ensuring people can trust the institutions that serve them. When that trust is broken, it doesn’t just harm individuals, it hurts our entire state. This bill puts clear, fair limits in place to protect public safety, rebuild trust, and make sure Maryland is a state where everyone is treated with dignity.”
This critical legislation is in response to the rollback of the federal policy that once limited ICE access to sensitive locations, such as schools (including preschools, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions); healthcare facilities (including hospitals, doctor’s offices, and community health clinics); places of worship; places where children gather (including playgrounds and bus stops); social services establishments (such as domestic violence shelters and food pantries); disaster/emergency response sites (including evacuation routes); weddings, funerals, and religious ceremonies; and parades, demonstrations, and rallies. The memo also specified that officers should refrain from enforcement actions “near” these protected areas, including surrounding areas like sidewalks, entrances, and parking lots. The Trump administration eliminated this protection on the second day of office.
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With over 173,000 lifetime members across 46 states, CASA is a national powerhouse organization working to improve the quality of life in working-class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and immigrant communities. Through its power-building model, CASA creates transformative change by blending grassroots organizing, advocacy, and direct services.