Frederick, Maryland Mayor Michael O’Connor has faced backlash for announcing a plan to establish a taxpayer-funded “legal advocacy fund” to defend immigrants “who may be harmed by policies from the new (Trump) administration.” O’Connor, a Democrat, stated that his ancestors came to America from Ireland and saw the struggles faced by immigrants, adding that President-elect Donald Trump’s first term will be “prologue” to how he treats immigrants.
The city, which has a population of 86,000, has previously granted voting rights to all residents, regardless of citizenship status. O’Connor emphasized that the city will continue to support immigrant populations and provide legal support to those who need it.
However, the plan has been met with criticism from some lawmakers. Rep. Mark Green, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, strongly disagreed with O’Connor’s stance, calling it “particularly appalling” and highlighting the case of Walter Javier Martinez, an MS-13 gang member who was sentenced to 70 years for the rape and murder of a young woman in nearby Harford County. Martinez was released to a “sponsor” in Frederick before committing the crime.
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins also spoke out against the plan, saying it was “totally inappropriate” and would anger taxpayers. He also praised incoming border czar Tom Homan, adding that there are already private and non-profit organizations that provide legal support to migrants facing federal action.
The city’s police department issued a statement saying they are committed to building trust with the community and are not involved in immigration enforcement. They also emphasized that they do not inquire about immigration status when interacting with residents.
Other local officials, such as Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, have also weighed in on the issue, with Pittman suggesting similar defenses for immigrants facing deportation and Moore stating that the US immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed.