Dozens of people rallied in Towson Tuesday afternoon in support of legislation designed to protect Baltimore County’s residents who are non-U.S. citizens.

Jossie Flor Sapunar, CASA’s national communications director, said the violence that’s been brought about by immigration enforcement in other parts of the country does not belong in Baltimore County.

“We belong here,” Sapunar said. “Our love belongs here. We belong in Towson, in Owings Mills, in Arbutus, in Catonsville, in Rosedale, in Pikesville, in Randallstown. That’s Baltimore County and that’s what we’re fighting for.”

Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka introduced two pieces of legislation he said are designed to protect the county’s non-U.S. citizens.

One would prohibit county employees from assisting in immigration enforcement. The other would establish an Office of Immigrant Affairs within the county executive’s office. The county already has a Chief of Immigrant Affairs.

Patoka said he believes the legislation would reduce fear and would “increase due process.”

Read full article and listen to audio: Rally in Towson backs Baltimore County bills to protect immigrant residents | WYPR