FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 23, 2019

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Diana Castaneda, [email protected], (240) 515-5561

 

 

CASA Applauds Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s Executive Order to Protect Immigrant Families and Promote Community Trust  

 

 

Montgomery County, MD – CASA celebrates the joint effort of Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, community leaders, and community organizations to support an Executive Order that eliminates collaboration between the Montgomery County Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This Order will make our communities safer and protect residents from deportation. 

 

“CASA thanks Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s leadership. Together we are redefining the Montgomery Way as something different, bold, and innovative. We understand that we need to be on the front lines of the battle to pass actual policies that right the wrongs of injustice. Because if not here, then where,” said CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres. 

 

The Executive Order aims to reaffirm the current County policy and improve community trust by ensuring that immigrant and otherwise vulnerable communities can engage with County departments, including public safety departments, with assurance that such engagement will not be used to assist any civil immigration enforcement or federal discriminatory practice.

 

“Enforcing immigration laws is the sole responsibility of the federal government of the United States. It is not in the interest of Montgomery County to utilize its limited resources to facilitate the enforcement of civil immigration law,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich.

 

It is especially important that all County residents feel safe contacting police and other County law enforcement officials without fear that such contact could lead to negative consequences for themselves or their family members. This is a step in the right direction in improving community-police relations in the County. 

 

“I came from Colombia one year ago looking for a better future for my youngest son who has special needs. Here in Montgomery County, he has access to medical treatment and lives a dignified life. With this executive order I’m happy and no longer afraid of the police when I drive to my son’s doctor’s appointments. We are citizens of the world,” said Montgomery County resident Luz Castro.

 

CASA wants to recognize its extraordinary partners that drove this victory forward: Jews United for Justice, African-Immigrant Caucus, Congregation Action Network, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Showing Up for Racial Justice Montgomery, Takoma Park Mobilization, American Civil Liberties Union, UnDocublack, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Safe Silver Spring, Do the Most Good, and SEIU. 

 

CASA will continue advocating to create a more equitable and inclusive Montgomery County and to protect our vulnerable working families and immigrant communities. 

 

 

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With almost 100,000 members across the states of Maryland, Virginia, and South Central

Pennsylvania, CASA is the largest member-based Latino and immigrant organization in the

mid-Atlantic region. CASA organizes with and litigates on behalf of low-wage immigrants.

Visit us at www.wearecasa.org and follow us on Twitter at @CASAforall