By Gillaila Thomas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
A coalition of local activists gathered in front of Senate President Bill Ferguson’s District 46 office in Baltimore City on Thursday to hoist signs, shout slogans and make calls for movement on immigration legislation.
The activists, most of whom have ties with the grassroots Baltimore for Border Justice group, called for action on several pieces of legislation under consideration in the Maryland General Assembly. They started their march in front of Ferguson’s office at 500 S. Highland Ave. and then trekked to Patterson Park at the corner of Eastern and Ellwood avenues, where they held a short rally.
The three bills activists are pushing for passage would prohibit law enforcement in the state from cooperating with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) in questioning, detaining, and transferring individuals suspected of civil immigration violations and prohibit for-profit immigration detention centers in Maryland. The third legislation would prohibit ICE from accessing the Maryland Vehicle Administration’s databases without a warrant.
Officials said The Maryland Trust Act (HB304/SB88) was sponsored by Sen. William C. Smith, chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, which heard the bill. Although Ferguson stated his support for the measure that prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, little action has been taken since it was voted out of committee. This is the 10th straight year that the bill has been introduced and vigorously promoted by a broad network of advocates statewide, only to stall, officials said.
The Dignity Not Detention Act (HB16/SB478) has passed the House but stalled in the Senate. Advocates are pushing for language from the Maryland Trust Act to be inserted, and for the Senate to adopt the House’s version of the legislation that prohibits for-profit immigration detention centers in Maryland.
The Driver Privacy Act (HB23/SB234) also passed the House and stalled in the Senate. Advocates are pushing for the Senate to adopt the House’s measure that would keep ICE from MVA data without a warrant.
Ferguson’s office has not responded to The Baltimore Watchdog’s request for comments. The legislature is slated to end its session on April 12.
Officials said that the Baltimore for Border Justice is a grassroots group working to address the crisis of inhumanity at the southern border; to dismantle borders here at home created by the prison system and by oppression based on race, class, ability, gender, and sexuality; and to connect these struggles.