Young: Executive Order Will Bar City From Asking About Immigration Status, Working With ICE

Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. "Jack Young on Wednesday issued an executive order clarifying anti-discrimination policies and barring city employees from asking individuals about immigration status.

Young also announced renewed funding for a city program that provides legal representation for residents facing deportation hearings.

.@mayorbcyoung says ‘people should not live in fear of deportation’ - he’s signing and executive order which orders city agencies not cooperate with any federal administrative warrants @wbalradio pic.twitter.com/S6etotqQGF — Phil Yacuboski (@WBALPhil) August 7, 2019

"As a Welcoming City, we firmly believe in respecting the rights and dignity of New Americans. As such, we would like to ensure that the newest members of our community are extended the same rights and protections the rest of our residents and visitors enjoy,” Young said in a statement. “This Executive Order clarifies existing anti-discrimination policies and local law enforcement practices in Baltimore and makes clear that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.”

The order bars city personnel from arresting, detaining or investigating people based on a belief or suspicion that they are not legal residents or that they have committed a civil immigration violation. It also bars city officials from cooperating with federal administrative warrants.

In referring to Baltimore as a "welcoming city," Young echoed his predecessor, Catherine Pugh. City officials have maintained that the city cannot be considered a "sanctuary city," as President Donald Trump and members of his administration define it, because the city does not run its own jails. City officials were joined by immigrants and activists at Young's Wednesday press briefing.

Young said the order will serve to foster trust between immigrants and police. The order also codifies earlier statements by Young and Police Commissioner Michael Harrison.

“As Commissioner, I am in the business of building bridges with community members, no matter their race, gender identity, religion, or country of origin," Harrison said. "As a result, it will remain the policy of the Baltimore Police Department not to inquire about anyone’s immigration status.”

Residents who are asked about their immigration status may file a complaint with the Baltimore City Office of Civil Rights.

Neighboring Baltimore County, has had a similar executive order in effect since 2017. County Executive John Olszewski Jr. affirmed that order in a statement last month. The order bars county police from asking about immigration status or cooperating with immigration enforcement actions.

Attorney General Brian Frosh has warned that the state and local governments risk civil liability if they cooperate with federal immigration enforcement or honor most federal immigration detainers.

The legal assistance program, Safe City Baltimore, has assisted 100 city residents in the last year and 50 percent of city residents detained by ICE, said Catalina Rodriguez-Lima, director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. On average, residents assisted through the program have lived in Baltimore for 12 years. Of the children with one or more parent represented through the program, 86% are U.S. citizens.

"The executive order that will be signed today really makes very, very clear that Baltimore City, its mayor, its leadership, all of its agencies, all of its personnel are very, very committed to the regular life and lives of the people that are in this room and the many citizens that would call themselves immigrants or new to Baltimore," Deputy City Solicitor Dana Moore said. "We are committed to making sure that none of our money, the money that all of you commit to the city and its coffers, will be used to pursue civil enforcement action against the immigrant community."

Like WBAL on Facebook Download the WBAL Smart Phone App ?

Phil Yacuboski contributed to this report.