Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier is convening an emergency session of the County Council following reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is opening legal offices in Hunt Valley.
Klausmeier said her office “investigated” reports of expanded ICE offices and determined that the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages government properties, had leased office space in Hunt Valley, although the intended use of the space was not immediately apparent.
“At this time, we do not know what business will be conducted in this space,” Klausmeier wrote in a statement. “However, we recognize the very real concerns this news raises for many members of our community.”
Councilmen Izzy Patoka and Julian Jones, both Democrats and candidates for county executive, said they plan to introduce emergency legislation Tuesday to block private companies — like those that contract with ICE — from operating detention facilities in the county. Howard County took similar action last week after plans for an ICE processing center in Elkridge became public.
“Who can be certain about what their intent is?” Patoka said. “The real fear is they don’t exude trust as an organization. So how can you trust them?”
Immigration issues have been at the forefront of recent council meetings. Earlier this month, bills introduced by Patoka to formally establish the county’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and restrict its ability to cooperate with ICE passed on a party-line vote.
Patoka added that he plans to introduce a bill restricting law enforcement from wearing masks — though Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown called a similar measure in the state legislature “likely unconstitutional.”
Read full article: Federal lease of Hunt Valley building sparks concerns about ICE – The Baltimore Banner
