gazette.net
TAKOMA PARK, Maryland -- A closed meeting Monday night to review Takoma Park’s sanctuary city ordinance could be the start of a broader discussion on the city’s unique immigration policies and their coexistence with federal laws.
The catalyst of the discussion was a January incident involving an illegal immigrant in Takoma Park who was pulled over by a city officer and subsequently deported, first reported by The Gazette in March.
City attorney Susan Silber briefed council members on the complexities that come with following the 1985 ordinance in the closed session.
The city’s sanctuary city ordinance states that ‘‘no agent, officer or employee of the city, in the performance of official duties” can assist in the investigation or arrest ‘‘of any persons for civil or criminal violation of the immigration and nationality laws of the United States.” Furthermore, information regarding the citizenship or residency status of any Takoma Park resident is not to be released to federal immigration authorities. The law, part of city code, did not come up for review during routine recodification in December 2004, according to city records.
Posted by tyne at July 18, 2007