Posted on 01/03/25
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 3, 2025 - A nonprofit law firm associated with in the incoming Trump Administration sent more than 200 letters to leaders around the country claiming there could be criminal and civil penalties if immigration policies aren’t followed, and we’re starting to get a better understanding of who received the legal warning.
America First Legal, which is led by Stephen Miller, identified Baltimore County “as a sanctuary jurisdiction that is violating federal law.” While the letter was sent to County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jan. 2 is the politician’s last day in office before he heads to Capitol Hill, where he will represent Maryland’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Such lawlessness subjects you and your subordinates to significant risk of criminal and civil liability,” the letter states. “Accordingly, we are sending this letter to put you on notice of this risk and insist that you comply with our nation’s laws.”
On the campaign trail, Trump did not shy away from making immigration central to his messaging. He has said he plans mass deportation when he assumes office, though it’s not exactly clear what that could entail.
President-elect Trump selected Tom Homan to serve as his border czar; Homan is a former border patrol agent and led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy that was criticized for separating families.
In November, Trump announced Miller would be returning to the White House in 2025 and serve as deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security Advisor. During Trump’s first administration, Miller served as a Senior President to the President for Policy, and during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, Miller was a senior advisor.
“Baltimore County is committed to maintaining safe communities where all residents feel welcome and can access the resources, services, and opportunities they deserve,” a spokesperson for the office of the Baltimore County Executive said in a statement. “Baltimore County is doing this work while remaining in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.”
“We will continue to follow the law while also implementing best practices that support and uplift our neighbors, ensuring that Baltimore County remains a welcoming place for all,” the statement continued.
During his administration, Olszewski focused on uplifting the immigrant community. In 2023, the Baltimore County Executive established a New Americans Task Force, which seeks to “build and maintain positive relationships with members of the immigrant community, and share research on policies, practices, and services that impact immigrant health, well-being, economic success and safety,” according to a press release from the executive’s office.
“Baltimore County’s greatest strength is its diversity, and we believe that all people – including those who are new to the country – should feel welcomed, included and valued,” Olszewski said
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, who has been steadfast in his opposition to honoring detainers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, also received a warning from Miller. In 2020, the Liberty Act was passed in Howard County, which states no matter the crime committed, inmates cannot be turned over to ICE.
The letter to Ball and Olszewski is one of nearly 250 letters America First Legal sent to leaders across the country. According to the organization, the letters are “the initial phase of its response to the announced plans, agreements, and activities of leftist elected officials and organizations” to block immigration plans.
Congress has authorized state and local law enforcement officials to assist federal officials in enforcing immigration law under the Immigration and Nationality Act, according to the letter written by America First Legal Foundation Senior Counsel James Rogers.
No federal law, however, allows state or local officials to subvert or ignore the requirements of the INA, Rogers claims in the letter. In fact, federal law imposes significant criminal and civil penalties on those who do so.
Rogers states in the letter that federal law requires cooperation, and by complying with Howard County’s sanctuary policies, Ball, Olszewski and their “subordinates appear to be engaging in facially criminal actions and potentially subjecting anyone implementing those policies to punishment.”
“The American people have spoken through their representatives. Your jurisdiction’s sanctuary laws or policies therefore make a mockery of American democracy and demonstrate a shocking disrespect for the rule of law,” Rogers wrote in the letter. “We urge you to do the right thing, protect your citizens, and comply with federal law.”
An interview request to America First Legal was not returned.
The threat from Miller’s organization is in line with other Republicans who have called on Democratic leaders to comply with federal immigration orders as President-elect Trump prepares to take office.
Maryland’s lone Republican in Congress, Rep. Andy Harris, said federal funding should be cut off from local jurisdictions if leaders don’t cooperate with federal orders, and leaders who stand in the way should be prosecuted.
During an interview on FOX45 News In Depth, Congressman Harris said he has had several conversations with people in Trump’s orbit about the deportation plans and said leaders who do not want to comply could be putting federal dollars at risk.
“The bottom line is this is clear: If states are not willing to keep up their end of the bargain, which is that federal immigration law – that’s the law of the land – well then maybe you don’t need the education dollars, the road dollars, all the other dollars that flow from the federal government,” Congressman Harris said. “I believe they are putting all of that at risk.”
What, are we not going to deport the 1.2 million people who have deportation orders against them? Who have gone through the federal adjudication system on immigration, have been found to be violation of federal law? Well then, they might just have to be on their own for everything else, too, Congressman Harris said.
Several local leaders in Maryland have been forthcoming about their plans to combat Trump’s effort. Frederick City Mayor Michael O’Connor announced a plan to create a Legal Advocacy Fund, utilizing tax dollars to pay for non-citizen’s attorney fees as they fight deportation.
“Ensuring they have the legal support they need to stand strong and remain in this community they have chosen to call home,” O’Connor explained during a news conference after the November election.
However, leaders who impede deportation efforts should be prosecuted, Congressman Harris said, arguing federal law clearly sets the mandate and anyone who violates that, should face consequences.
“If they are going to stop them [ICE] from doing it, they should be prosecuted. This election was all about protecting our border and the security of our citizens and local communities. Shame on these local officials,” Congressman Harris said. “If the people of Frederick City want to spend their dollars on legal fees for illegal immigrants, let’s go to the polls and see what the people of Frederick say at the next election.”
After the election, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced his plans to prepare for the incoming administration, paying a consulting firm $190,000 to assist with that effort.
“Marylanders are worried about what this election means for themselves, their families, and their future,” Gov. Moore said during a news conference.
In a statement to FOX45 News, Gov. Moore said he comes from a family of immigrants, and said the national immigration system is “broken and Congress must fix it.”
“There is currently a lot of speculation going around about how the new federal administration plans to address immigration policy. As Governor, I have an obligation to protect Marylanders, including members of our immigrant communities,” Gov. Moore’s statement read. “I take that obligation seriously and will wait to see what actions the new administration takes on immigration policy.”
“We have issued clear guidance on the four values driving our work during this transition from one administration to the next: We will deliver for Marylanders, we will defend our constitutional rights, we will grow our economy, and we will restore faith in our public servants, our institutions, and our democracy,” he said. “And as policy evolves, we will weigh our actions against these values”