WASHINGTON — In Maryland, a person released from a state-run Baltimore detention center could find federal law enforcement officers waiting for them upon release, if they are in the United States illegally. It’s part of a program that has the state and federal government working together, and the program isn’t sitting well with one immigrant advocacy group in Maryland.
CASA de Maryland protested outside the governor’s mansion on Thursday, calling for the state to not notify the feds when someone suspected of being in this country illegally is set to be released.
It’s called the Priority Enforcement Program, and it also allows the Department of Homeland Security to provide documentation that would allow for someone targeted for deportation to be detained.
“These types of collaborations with entities whose sole intent and purpose is to deport our families and separate them are not accomplishing the overall goal of keeping us all safe,” said George Escobar, with CASA de Maryland.
Escobar’s says the group supports due process but worries that immigrants in this country illegally won’t call police when they need help, fearing that they or their loved ones will be deported.
This program attracted new attention after the murder of 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco. Steinle was shot by convicted felon who had been released from prison after DHS requested he be detained for deportation.
The governor’s office released a statement, which reads, “The Baltimore City Detention Center is simply complying with a request from the Obama administration in regard to individuals who have already been detained. If CASA has concerns about President Obama’s Priority Enforcement Program, we would recommend that they take their concerns to the White House.”
In a statement, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said it is committed to cooperating with the DHS.
“This includes notifying DHS officials of the scheduled release date and time of any inmate who has been identified by ICE as an immigration enforcement priority. This will permit ICE to assume custody of the individual immediately upon release from a Department facility.”
The statement continues, “Furthermore, the Department will voluntarily maintain custody of any individual identified by ICE as an immigration enforcement priority for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release to the fullest extent permitted by law. This would require the presentation by DHS officials of a detainer supported by a judicial warrant establishing probable cause.”
