Maryland Legislators, Faith Leaders, and More Stand with Immigrants and Muslims

From We are CASA: Faith, community and political leaders promised to continue pushing and supporting ordinances and laws that will protect immigrants and refugees in Maryland during a rally in Annapolis Friday.

“It's disturbing to see the President of the United States offer a message of hate and division and sowing fear in the immigrant community,” said Maryland’s Attorney General Brian Frosh. “Our constitution offers protections for people who are citizens and non-citizens alike and we will protect those rights. We are going to fight for justice.”

Community and faith leaders from different organizations stood together in solidarity in a week when President Donald Trump signed a number of executive actions that represent an unconstitutional and un-American assault on immigrants and refugees and a forthcoming Executive Order expected to specifically target refugees from some Muslim-majority countries.

"We are stronger together, as we oppose President Trump's divisive fear-mongering and stand in support of Muslims and immigrants, who are vital members of our greater community in Maryland,” said Susan Goering, Executive Director of the ACLU of Maryland. “The heart of our constitutional values are freedom from racial profiling, religious discrimination, and discrimination based on national origin. We must protect sanctuary cities and oppose the use of local police as federal immigration enforcers."

Maryland elected officials promised to fight back through legislative action.

“We are a state that was founded by immigrants, in a country that was founded by immigrants,” said Delegate Eric Luedtke, a Democrat from Montgomery County.

State legislators will introduce a bill that would outlaw police cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and would prohibit local law officials from inquiring into immigration status. The bill, known as the Trust Act, would also bar the state from using its funds to go to the collection of information that would constitute a Muslim ban.

“The Trust Act will protect immigrants and our Muslims brother and sisters against any kind of Muslim registry,” said Rep. Marice Morales, who will introduce the legislation in the house this session. “That is just un-American.”

CASA endorses the proposed bill known as the Trust Act and all measures that bring immigrants closer to building better relationships with local law enforcement officials.

“We will not let hate take over this country,” said Yaheiry Mora, Senior Policy and Elections Manager.

Some of the organization that were part of the rally and also support the efforts include 32BJ SEIU, ACLU of Maryland, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), CASA, Jews United for Justice, Maryland Working Families, Progressive Maryland, SEIU 1199, UFCW Local 400, NAACP of Anne Arundel County and the Muslim Association of Anne Arundel County.

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