Immigration advocates say proposed protection bills need to be passed in Baltimore County

The Baltimore area's central immigrant rights organization and other supporters rallied outside of the Baltimore County Historic Courthouse on Tuesday, pushing for the passage of two measures that would protect immigrant communities.

The bills, which have been dubbed the Trust Act, were introduced last month by Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka.

When he spoke at the rally, Patoka said the bills are about restoring trust, citing the social impacts of ICE agents and federal immigration enforcement around the country.

There is a concern with passing the Trust Act, particularly with potential blowback from the Trump administration.

What is the Trust Act?

Holding signs that read, "Protect Immigrant Communities" and "Abolish ICE," the nonprofit CASA and others said the Trust Act needs to be passed by the Baltimore County Council.

The bills aim to put some control on how much county agencies engage with federal immigration enforcement efforts, hoping to put guardrails against local ICE operations, according to Patoka.

They would also create a county Office of Immigrant Affairs.

"The purpose of the bills combined is to reduce fear we currently have in our community, and to increase due process," Patoka said.

The bills were drafted in response to Baltimore County reaffirming its agreement with ICE in November 2025, which sparked protests and backlash.

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier has said the agreement has made no changes in the county.

However, advocates say after last week's deadly ICE agent shooting in Minneapolis, the Trust Act is even more important.

"That violence doesn't belong here; we belong here, our love belongs here," said Jossie Flor Sapunar, with CASA. "We belong in Towson, in Owings Mills, in Arbutus, in Catonsville, in Rosedale, in Pikesville, and in Randallstown. That's Baltimore County and that's what we're fighting for."

The bills are slated for a final reading and vote at the Baltimore County Council's legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

If passed as written currently, they would go into effect two weeks later.

The public speaks out

During Tuesday's work session for the council, the bills were discussed at length. More than 50 members of the public registered to testify.

By the time the bills were up for discussion, almost three hours into the meeting, only three of the seven council members remained in person, while two appeared virtually.

Councilman Patoka said his bill is about reducing fear in the county.

"We live in a time when there has been an enormous increase in fear, and at the same time there's been this increase in fear in our communities, there's been a decrease in due process," Patoka said. "These two bills will be dramatic for people who live in Baltimore County."

During the meeting, Councilman Julian Jones signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill. Both Patoka and Jones are running for Baltimore County Executive.

"We are all neighbors. We work together, we worship together, and at times like this, is very important that we stick together," Jones said.

Public testimony overwhelmingly favored people supporting the pair of bills. Some of those who spoke say they are immigrants themselves and want to feel protected.

"I'm here because I'm tired of carrying a copy of my passport on me when I go on a walk or drive across the state to visit my nieces," said Bilal Askaryar, who immigrated to the U.S. from Afghanistan as a child.

Fear of federal retaliation

When the bills were introduced in December, Tim Fazenbaker, a Republican candidate for Baltimore County Council, opposed them from the get-go.

He's worried about pushback from the federal government.

"Hundreds of thousands of us demand our laws be enforced and illegal aliens be removed," Fazenbaker said. "Sanctuary status or anything like that would defy federal immigration enforcement and invite chaos."

Some people said they are afraid to seek help and services out of fear of being detained.   

Several speakers on Tuesday said victims of crimes are not contacting the police nor seeking justice through the court system. Others add that some families are afraid of sending their children to school.

Those against the bills say there is an immigration process that should be followed.

"I'm a taxpayer in this county, too, and I think we need to find a balance," said Glen Geelhaar, who is running for State Delegate in District 8. "Both of these bills, I believe are misguided, and I'm against both of them." 

To pass, both bills needs five votes.