Latest news with #HouseBill1222
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers pass watered-down immigrant protections bill in final minutes of 2025 session
Ninfa Amador-Hernandez, left, and Cathryn Jackson of CASA talk with Sen. Will Smith (D-Montgomery) about a package of immigrant protection bills Monday. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters) After it was stalled for most of the day, a watered-down package of protections for Maryland's immigrant community was rushed through by lawmakers with just minutes to spare before the midnight end of the legislative session Monday. The version of House Bill 1222 that passed the House and Senate on mostly party-line votes includes language to help 'sensitive locations' like churches and schools decide how to respond if immigration agent show, and it includes some privacy protections for migrant data. What it does not include is language from the original House version of the bill that would require counties to work with federal immigration agencies in some respects, but would prohibit participation in so-called 287(g) agreements, in which local police can essentially act as immigration agents. Migrant groups, who were at the State House all day monitoring the progress of the bills, said the 287(g) prohibition was their primary goal in the face of increased immigration enforcement by President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security. 'It was shameful the way it went down. We knew what Trump was doing on immigration since day one,' said Ninfa Amador-Hernandez, policy analyst with the immigrant advocacy group CASA. 'We're seeing Democrats not act in protecting immigrant families.' But with the clock ticking toward midnight Monday, Del. Jazz Lewis (D-Prince George's) said the legislature was at risk of failing to pass any protections, so House members agreed to give in to the Senate and strike out the prohibitions on 287(g) agreements. U.S. Supreme Court pauses order to return wrongly deported Maryland man 'Sometimes having a pressure cooker of a deadline to move things – we were unsure if we would get it done anyway,' Lewis said. 'We think it (the amended bill) is balanced.' HB1222 initially prohibited Maryland counties from entering into 287(g) agreements to work cooperatively with agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That was the bill's only function when it was introduced back in early February. In the last-minute amendment, the bill includes language from another bill called the Sensitive Locations Act, which would require the Attorney General to 'provide guidance to state agencies and others to rules regarding immigration enforcement,' said Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City), the chair of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill also prevents the sale of personal records and other data to third parties, he said, though the amendment text is not yet publicly available. But Cathryn Jackson, policy director for CASA, said the prohibition on 287(g) agreements would have had the 'greatest impact' for Maryland's immigrant population. '287g is such a direct funnel into the deportation machine. It is the most direct way that we are carrying out Trump's agenda in Maryland,' Jackson said. 'I think it is extremely heartbreaking that the immigration bills have not been prioritized,' she said. 'That is leaving the lives of so many people up to chance right now.' CASA members are blaming the failure of 287(g) on the Senate, even though Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) had said earlier Monday that 'there is a limit' to what states can do when it comes to immigration enforcement with the federal government. 'We are doing whatever we can in this time frame. The challenge is – it is the federal government and there is a limit to which we have the ability to impact,' Ferguson told reporters. 'I can't even fathom the fear that a number of our neighbors are feeling because of what's happening with the Trump administration,' he said. 'It is fundamentally unbelievable that we've created this toxic environment around people who are investing in our communities, who are part of our workforce, our kids are in school together.' Gov. Wes Moore (D) said that the state would always cooperate with federal law enforcement, but disagrees with how the Trump administration is overstepping due process for immigration enforcement. 'We are never not going to cooperate with our federal partners to get violent criminals off of the streets – period, full stop,' Moore told reporters. 'We have to make sure our communities are safe … I believe very deeply that you can both make sure you're keeping your streets safe and also make sure you're honoring the Constitution at the same time.' – Maryland Matters reporter Bryan P. Sears contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maryland lawmakers closer to passing roadblock to ICE deportation effort
The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill that will prohibit agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) from entering sensitive locations without a warrant. The legislation, Senate Bill 828, which will ban ICE agents from schools, libraries and churches unless the agency is able to obtain a warrant, passed the Democratic-dominated House of Delegates on a 98-39 vote. It now returns to the state Senate where, if approved as amended, it will proceed to Democratic Gov. Wes Moore's desk. The bill comes as President Donald Trump has ramped up deportation efforts across the country, seeking to make good on a campaign promise that became central to his third bid for the White House. Blue State Sheriffs Combine Forces To Fight Back Against Sanctuary Laws That effort has led to over 100,000 deportations between when Trump took office on Jan. 20 and the end of March, according to numbers provided to Newsweek, a number that was already over a third of the 271,000 deported during the final year of the Biden administration. Read On The Fox News App But Maryland lawmakers are putting a roadblock in front of that effort, with the state's Democratic-controlled legislature arguing that ICE tactics have spread fear through local communities. "People in my community have been afraid for far too long," Democratic Delegate Karen Simpson told Fox affiliate WBFF. "I am thankful to everyone in this body who has voted for this so that we can get rid of 287(g) who has scared our community." The new legislation also incorporates Maryland's House Bill 1222, which seeks to eliminate ICE's 287(g) program from being used in the state. That program allows local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE and assist in immigration enforcement efforts, including cooperating with ICE detainers that instruct local jurisdictions to hold illegal immigrants in jail until they can be apprehended by ICE for deportation proceedings. Jd Vance Torches Media, Dems' 'Disgraceful Set Of Priorities' On Deportation Of Accused Ms-13 Gang Member The legislation was opposed by Republican Delegate Kathy Szeliga, who told WBFF that the bill was nothing more than "fear mongering by the left" that is "stirring up the immigrant community." Szeliga was able to successfully add an amendment to the legislation that would ensure that criminal illegal aliens who are on the state's sex offender registry would be turned over to ICE, though that provision would not go into effect until June 1. The legislation will not return to the Senate, where Szeliga believes it will pass despite opposition to such amendments. "I hear that the Senate doesn't love the bill the way it's been amended. But I believe that they will pass this bill," Szeliga said. The Maryland Senate has until midnight tonight to vote on SB 828 before the Maryland General Assembly adjourns for the year. If passed, it heads to Moore's desk. Reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for ICE said the agency does not comment on article source: Maryland lawmakers closer to passing roadblock to ICE deportation effort
Fox News
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Maryland lawmakers closer to passing roadblock to ICE deportation effort
The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill that will prohibit agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) from entering sensitive locations without a warrant. The legislation, Senate Bill 828, which will ban ICE agents from schools, libraries and churches unless the agency is able to obtain a warrant, passed the Democratic-dominated House of Delegates on a 98-39 vote. It now returns to the state Senate where, if approved as amended, it will proceed to Democratic Gov. Wes Moore's desk. The bill comes as President Donald Trump has ramped up deportation efforts across the country, seeking to make good on a campaign promise that became central to his third bid for the White House. That effort has led to over 100,000 deportations between when Trump took office on Jan. 20 and the end of March, according to numbers provided to Newsweek, a number that was already over a third of the 271,000 deported during the final year of the Biden administration. But Maryland lawmakers are putting a roadblock in front of that effort, with the state's Democratic-controlled legislature arguing that ICE tactics have spread fear through local communities. "People in my community have been afraid for far too long," Democratic Delegate Karen Simpson told Fox affiliate WBFF. "I am thankful to everyone in this body who has voted for this so that we can get rid of 287(g) who has scared our community." The new legislation also incorporates Maryland's House Bill 1222, which seeks to eliminate ICE's 287(g) program from being used in the state. That program allows local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE and assist in immigration enforcement efforts, including cooperating with ICE detainers that instruct local jurisdictions to hold illegal immigrants in jail until they can be apprehended by ICE for deportation proceedings. The legislation was opposed by Republican Delegate Kathy Szeliga, who told WBFF that the bill was nothing more than "fear mongering by the left" that is "stirring up the immigrant community." Szeliga was able to successfully add an amendment to the legislation that would ensure that criminal illegal aliens who are on the state's sex offender registry would be turned over to ICE, though that provision would not go into effect until June 1. The legislation will not return to the Senate, where Szeliga believes it will pass despite opposition to such amendments. "I hear that the Senate doesn't love the bill the way it's been amended. But I believe that they will pass this bill," Szeliga said. The Maryland Senate has until midnight tonight to vote on SB 828 before the Maryland General Assembly adjourns for the year. If passed, it heads to Moore's desk. Reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for ICE said the agency does not comment on legislation.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sheriffs defend cooperation with federal officials on immigration enforcement
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins testifies against a bill that would force his agency to cancel an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement allowing the local department to enforce federal immigration law. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Supporters of a bill that would force sheriff's departments to cancel agreements with federal immigration officials said deputies could still enforce the law just as effectively, they would just not be doing so as an extension of federal authorities. 'There are counties that do not have these formal agreements that still cooperate with ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] still honor judicial warrants, still honor containers when they are presented to them,' Del. Nicole Williams (D-Prince George's) said Thursday during testimony for her bill, House Bill 1222. The bill would prohibit local law enforcement agencies from entering into so-called 287(g) agreements that allow ICE to delegate some federal enforcement authorities to local officers, including the authority to arrest and check a person's immigration status through a federal database. The bill also requires those departments that have 287(g) agreements to cancel them by July 1. Six counties — Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, Harford and Washington — currently have 287(g) agreements with ICE. Frederick and Harford sheriffs turned up at Thursday's Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing to defend the program. 'Please allow the local counties to provide public safety as they see fit,' Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said. Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins said his jurisdiction has been part of the 287(g) program since 2008 and 'removed 1,795 criminals,' the majority of whom he described as 'dangerous' and 'violent.' Gahler noted that since his department signed a 287(g) agreement in 2014, ICE has chosen not to initiate action in 35% of cases there. He also pointed to the popularity of the agreements, citing a January poll by Annapolis-based Gonzales Research & Media that found 76% of people surveyed said they would support requiring local governments to cooperate with federal efforts to enforce immigration laws. But opponents of the agreements say 287(g) agreements 'significantly undermined any trust in law enforcement' in immigrant communities. '287(g) agreements literally turn local law enforcement into ICE agents,' said Nicholas Katz, general counsel for the nonprofit immigrant-rights organization CASA, based in Prince George's County. 'In this moment, Black and brown families don't know if it's safe to go to work, if its safe to walk their kids to school, if it's safe to go to the hospital,' Katz said. Under Williams' bill, which passed the House 98-38 last week, if federal authorities identify an immigrant who's been convicted and is being held in a local jail, the local officials would have to give ICE at least 48 hours notice before release of the imate, and would have to turn the immigrant over when federal authoritis arrived. At Thursday's hearing, Sen. Chris West (R-Baltimore County) said the sheriffs would continue to do their job protecting the public, but asked if not having the 287(g) program would decrease their public safety work. It would, Gahler said. 'If we lose the ability to have these agreements with ICE, we lose what comes along with it,' Gahler said. 'Which is finding out whether these people are indeed in the country illegally, and recommendations from ICE in relation to national security.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Sen. William C. Smith Jr. (D-Montgomery), chair of the committee, said he understood the perspectives from supporters and opponents of the bill. But he acknowledged 'there is a distinct fear' under the administration of President Donald Trump (R), who has made an immigration crackdown a key element of his tenure. The 287(g) program began under former President Bill Clinton (D) in the 1990s. 'I guess our policy debate here is centered on the federal prerogatives and their implementation of deportation policy and the existence of 287(g) in Maryland,' Smith said. 'Is that creating such an atmosphere that people are not going to want to cooperate with law enforcement? Live life?' he asked. 'Is that something that is beneficial to keeping the 287(g) program or getting rid of it?'
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House committee advances bills amending Arkansas ballot initiative process
Arkansas State Representative David Ray answers questions about his FOIA bill during a meeting of the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee on Sept. 13, 2023 at the state Capitol. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate 09/13/2023 The Arkansas House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on Wednesday advanced three election-related bills. Rep. David Ray, a Maumelle Republican and sponsor of all three bills, said House Bill 1221 would clarify that the certification of ballot titles for initiatives, referenda and constitutional amendments as well as the signatures collected for those measures would only be valid for the next general election. This is not a significant change and codifies a long-standing practice, Ray said. 'Allowing initiatives to carry over for more than one election cycle would almost certainly result in a massive increase in mistakes, inaccurate signatures and/or downright fraud,' he said. Rep. Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, questioned the need for the bill if it's already common practice. Ray said the law would help guard against people trying to circumvent the rules. Steve Grappe, the executive director of the grassroots organization Stand Up Arkansas and an active participant in citizen-led ballot initiatives, was one of two people to speak against the bill. Grappe, who said he'd be happy to work with Ray to reform parts of the ballot initiative process such as eliminating paid canvassers, argued that new laws have made it more difficult for groups that aren't well-funded to participate in direct democracy. 'We the people have the power and we give it to the General Assembly…and what we've seen over the last several years is this body making it more difficult for grassroots organizations to hold you accountable, or to present the initiatives that we want on the table to the body,' he said. The citizen-led ballot initiative process garnered much attention during the 2024 election cycle with groups collecting signatures for nearly a dozen ballot measures that addressed a range of topics, including eliminating the tampon tax, expanding abortion access and increasing government transparency. The sole intiative to make it to the ballot was a measure to repeal a Pope County casino license, which voters approved in November. A measure to expand medical marijuana access appeared on the ballot, but an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling prohibited votes for the measure from being counted. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After the committee approved HB 1221 on a split voice vote, members next considered another bill from Ray, who said he doesn't believe the current process for reviewing proposed ballot measures is strong enough to protect voters from problematic ballot language. Currently, Arkansas' attorney general can deem a proposed ballot measure insufficient for issues like a misleading title or confusing language. House Bill 1222 would expand the AG's authority to reject a proposal if it conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes. Additionally, HB 1222 would prevent a sponsor from submitting more than one conflicting petition at the same time, which Ray said 'closes an egregious loophole in the process that led to abuse of this process last session.' Collins and Rep. Nicole Clowney, D-Fayetteville, questioned how this might conflict with the separation of powers by placing the Supreme Court's power in the attorney general's hands. Both Ray and Noah Watson, deputy attorney general of the opinions and FOIA division, said this bill would allow the question of constitutionality to be considered at the beginning of the process instead of the end. They also said petitioners who feel they've been aggrieved would still have the right to appeal the attorney general's decision to the state Supreme Court as they do now. Three members of the public spoke against the bill. No one spoke in support of it. In explaining her reasoning for voting against the measure, Clowney expressed concern over a section of the bill that would prohibit sponsors from submitting multiple petitions that are 'conflicting measures.' The bill defines conflicting measures as petitions that 'cover the same subject matter; are for the same general purpose; and contain different language in any part of their full texts, ballot titles or popular names.' 'We are giving any future attorney general truly what I see, I cannot read as any other way than a blank check to deny anything that is even closely related,' Clowney said. Other committee members joined Clowney in rejecting the measure, which ultimately passed on a close voice vote. The final and least controversial of Ray's proposals considered by the committee was House Bill 1223, which would allow a candidate for the Arkansas Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals who is currently serving in that position as an appointee to use that position as a prefix on the ballot. The measure passed with no discussion on a unanimous voice vote. All three bills will next be considered by the full House. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
