SAFE Act Press Conference - 8 Mar 2018 - Annapolis Maryland

The Activist - Montgomery County, Maryland & Beyond

Maryland Delegates and Activists Present the SAFE Act Bill to protect the immigrant community in Maryland from ICE detainers and ensure that residents can interact with law enforcement, health care and other officials / institutions without fear of arrest or deportation.

Speakers:

Ana Sol Gutierrez - Delegate

• The SAFE Act is the same as the Trust act, but with a new name
• • So people feel safe in their communities, with law enforcement officers at a time when the environment is worsening

Senator Susan Lee

• Proud to join community leaders here to support this act
• Chair of Asian-American Pacific Islanders Conference

Joseline Peña-Melnyk - Delegate

• We must allow our neighbors to feel safe so they can trust their neighbors, law enforcement, taking their kids to school and not getting arrested in a parking lot, arrested going to a hospital.

Marice Morales - Delegate

• Last year they worked extremely hard on this bill in the judiciary committee
• Product of this bill is a bipartisan product
• The 4 areas addressed by the SAFE Act:
  • Public schools
  • Hospital
  • Court Houses
• • Nobody will be detained without a warrant
  • Prohibiting registries based on immigration status and/or religion and other identifying factors
  • Creating safe harbors (no ICE)
• Biggest part of this act:
• • Outlawing the 287g program using correctional facilities in this state as an extension of ICE detention

Pam Queen - Delegate

• The Black Caucus is supporting this bill and I’m proud to be working on this

Jimmy Tarlau - Delegate

• 35% of district is Latino
• • 90% from El Salvador
• Number 1 issue
  • Feaful before 45
  • More fearful now
• MD has to step up its gain
• • Our residents who pay taxes, who work hard, who bring their kids tos chools are going to be protected
• This is the year to get it passed

Jeff Waldstreicher - Delegate

• When the fed govt acts unconstitutionally it is up to the state to protect its residents

Bonnie Campos - ACLU Montgomery County People Power

• This is a challenging bill
• We learned that fear drove those that would normally protect the most vulnerable to retreat
• We were told to wait - it is an election year. So we are here fighting back fear and refusing to give up. Giving up on this is giving up on our immigrant neighbors, our communities and feeling safe.

Cecilia Plante

• Member of MD legislative coalition
• Laws are intended to make the many feel safe - this is what the SAFE Act is about; treating everyone as they are the same class of people - what our founding fathers intended, what our constitution requires; what our attorney general requires in his guidance - it is about time we listen

Roxanne Weiss

• Montgomery County ACLU
• I support the SAFE Act because without explicit guidance to our law enforcement officers, detaining someone beyond their release time is unconstitutional
• • This puts the officer and our jurisdiction at risk for a lawsuit whcih can cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.
• The only way I can feel safe in my home is if my neighbor feels safe

Gwen Stewart

• Women’s Democratic Club of Montgomery County
• This bill is important for the safety of all in MD - those that live there and travel through there
• If people don’t feel safe to come to the health care system, it makes it dangerous for everyone (e.g. TB can spread)