Montgomery County Councilmembers Will Jawando (D - At-Large) and Kristin Mink (D - District 5) have introduced two bills aimed at curbing the impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the county. Flanked by community members, educators, and fellow lawmakers at a joint press conference, they vowed that Montgomery County will not be a silent partner in federal immigration enforcement that relies on "fear, intimidation, or abuse." Mink has directly engaged ICE officers in Maryland, posting video of her encounters that earned TV news coverage.
The County Values Act (Bill 3-26), led by Councilmember Mink, focuses on restricting ICE's access to and use of county-controlled properties. Key provisions include:
- Requiring a judicial warrant for ICE to enter any areas of county facilities not open to the general public.
- Mandating clear signage in those areas explicitly barring ICE access.
- Providing comprehensive staff training on how to handle such encounters.
- Prohibiting immigration enforcement activities in county parking lots, garages, and vacant lots.
- Requiring county staff to report any observed enforcement activities and to restrict or block access where feasible.
- Directing the county to develop and post a signage template that private businesses can voluntarily adopt.
Mink's bill is cosponsored by Councilmembers Kate Stewart (District 4), Will Jawando, Shebra Evans (At-Large), Andrew Friedson (District 1), Laurie-Anne Sayles (At-Large), Evan Glass (At-Large), and Marilyn Balcombe (District 2). "We cannot make ICE agents operate lawfully, but what we can do is employ the strongest possible protocols at every facility the County owns or operates,” Mink said.
Complementing this effort is the Unmask ICE Act (Bill 5-26), sponsored by Councilmember Jawando. It prohibits masking or facial coverings by all law enforcement officers operating in Montgomery County—including federal agents like ICE—with limited exceptions for public health reasons or specific operational necessities. The goal is to ensure transparency and build trust by allowing residents to clearly identify officers. Cosponsors include Councilmembers Mink, Evans, Stewart, Sayles, and Glass.
Jawando, who is running for County Executive, cast masked law enforcement officials as a horror of America's past. "Throughout history, masks have been used in American law enforcement to shield the wearer from accountability, and used for terror, impunity, and anonymity for violence," he said. "We are seeing that play out again before our eyes, and we cannot accept that as our new reality. As our local law enforcement recognizes, safety requires trust, and trust requires transparency. Our community is calling on us to do more, and we must listen, work together, and move forward with courage to protect our community."
Councilmembers sought to make the human cost of ICE enforcement actions the focal point of a joint press conference held after the bill introductions.
Orchid Dargahi, a teacher at Newport Mill Middle School who had a family member arrested by ICE, described the "trauma" rippling through her school: "Before I can do anything else in my classroom, I need to make sure my students feel safe. But I field questions like, ‘Can ICE just come into school?’ before teaching kids how to write an essay for or against zoos."
Gaby Rivera of the Montgomery County Immigrant Rights Collective (MoCo IRC) shared the story of a 19-year-old forced to raise his younger siblings after both parents were detained. Rivera urged the Council to pass these bills alongside the previously introduced Trust Act, arguing that together, they send a clear message that the County refuses to be complicit in "fear, intimidation, or abuse."
27 comments:
Anything to protect child molesters, drug runners and other criminals. I would love to post the mugshots but this commentary will have to do. Liberals could find it using this search engine called Google but probably a bridge too far. Good job council!
Shocker said by no one. Elections have consequences.
I’m not a Jawando fan, but see no need for ICE/CBP to get special mask rules, if local police working day-to-day do not.
¡ Claro !
I think it's fair that ICE be held to the same standard as regular police: body cams, no face masks, and independent investigations of any officer-involved shootings. That's not much to ask.
The majority of people deported by ICE in 2025 did not have a criminal record.
Bootlickers. Big tough guys talk tough about the 2A, but is just fine with a person doing nothing illegal getting executed in the street for carrying concealed. Why? Because its YOUR team being jackbooted masked secret police asking for papers and terrorizing people.
Was a republican for 30 years and a gun owner, and this is wrong. You all know it and should be saying so. Not ashamed to have been a republican, because the party is not republican anymore. It's a cult. The Republicans
I was
I wish they had worn a mask six years ago.
Ah whatever... not worth it talking to mindless cult members. Wrong side of history, bootlickers.
3:35 fails the big picture test by only watching the MSM. Illegals arrested for criminal activity by warrant or action depending on the charges are often deported before adjudication and may already be subject to court ordered deportation.. Also understand that Illegals are not subject to the same due process as citizens. Sad that anyone needs to explain this but this demonstrates a failure of public education in basic civics.
One more thing to note, if federal officers are executing a warrant and those person or persons are traveling with others that have only committed the crime of Illegal immigration which BTW is still a crime, they will be deported. Here's a suggestion, don't hang out with criminals and enter the country the right way.
So you and your ilk can go to their homes and harass their families? Look at all the fully masked organized thugs attacking ICE. Biden created this mess and someone now has to clean it up.
4:39 - Well, Biden didn't personally do anything but I agree with your overall point.
@ 4:39 PM - Yet you’re OK with a member of Congress being attacked.
Come on, Man said our last WH Resident, it's all about increasing the illegal Dim supported new 'voters' and increasing Entitlement and illicit programs 'churn' to pilfer more money into the Demorat' pockets. Wake up!
This was a tough case. The ICE agent are poorly trained. The person killed used poor judgement running interference while armed.
I agree. They should be unmasked or at least clearly visible numbered badges.
They need better training. It certainly looks like dictatorship tactics.
705/706 live in a cult of their of making. Called projection, they accuse others of doing exactly what their doing.
Pro Tip: Enforcing existing law isn't terrorism so accusations of malfeasance because you like to choose the laws that should be enforced don't survive scrutiny. Poor public education on display.
6:15 posits an absurd argument because their education is limited. The law is black and white, literally, so choosing what and who is illegal is called anarchy which is what we have with those paid progressives in MN.
how can anyone be against them not wearing masks? They are a rag tag crew with little training. Transparency should be a bare minimum
how can anyone be against them not wearing masks? They are a rag tag crew with little training. Transparency should be a bare minimum
@4:39 - What page in the MAGA (Stephen Miller) script book did you copy those words from. So unoriginal and stupid.
Biden, Biden, Biden, so sick of you sphincters using that lame-a**ed phrase. Ya got nothing using to point to from the Orange Idiot.
@7:05 So you were OK with the open borders that caused this mess? Truthfully you were never a republican not that it matters but trying to say so says a lot more without being said. Try rationalizing better as this one too transparent.
Per IRS guidance, Illegal income must be reported.
You mean Stephen Miller, the one who stood for the Duke Lacrosse players falsely accused of rape by "fair minded" democrats in the media with no evidence? He's more of a patriot than you'll ever be.
JAC, Biden is responsible for Mayorkis, who will hopefully get his day in court.
7:54 is completely wrecked by Trump who lives in their mind rent free. Love it!
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