The Baltimore County Council passed an emergency bill Tuesday night to block detention centers from operating in the county, amid efforts by the Trump administration to expand its immigration detention capacity.

The 6-0 vote came days after County Executive Kathy Klausmeier requested the emergency session following reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was opening a legal office in Hunt Valley. Republican Councilman Todd Crandell was not present.

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But Councilman Izzy Patoka said local governments still must act within the authority they do have.

“While this bizarre activity that goes on at the federal level, we at the local level have to stand strong,” said Patoka, a Pikesville Democrat who’s also running for county executive. “We have to come together in rooms like this so that we’re not just spectators watching this go by. We need to be involved.”

Read full article: Baltimore County bans immigration detention centers – The Baltimore Banner