Immigration Policy Should Be Decided in the Open -- Not Hidden in the Files

Baltimore County residents deserve a government that tells the truth, follows the law, and spends wisely. On immigration policy, we’re not getting any of the three.

The recent signing of a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Justice has left many residents cheering — and just as many confused or upset. With the stroke of a pen, Baltimore County is no longer listed as a “sanctuary jurisdiction.” But few understand what that really means or what’s actually in the agreement.

Clarity from our leaders — honesty about intent and purpose — would go a long way toward quelling fears. Accurately representing the contents of the MOU itself would help, too. Secrecy and false narratives breed distrust, and trust is already in short supply.

If you visit the county’s website today, you’ll find Executive Order 2019-001, related to Upholding Law Enforcement Standards on Immigration Status, Diversity, and Equity, issued by then–County Executive Johnny Olszewski. That order reaffirmed an even older 2017 directive. The website currently states that “County Executive Olszewski has affirmed that the executive order remains in effect countywide.”

The problem? Johnny O hasn’t been County Executive for nearly a year.

To be fair, the current administration did issue a statement last weekend that the order “remains in effect,” but no formal reaffirmation has been made. So where does that leave us? Are we still following that order? Does the new MOU complement it or replace it? And who is actually setting county immigration policy — the County Executive, the County Council, or federal lawyers in Washington?

This confusion is exactly why Baltimore County leaders need to step up, stop governing by executive order on this issue, and start governing by law.

Executive orders can be changed or forgotten with the stroke of a pen. Ordinances — laws passed by the County Council — require public debate, a council vote, and the signature of an accountable executive. That’s transparency. That’s democracy.

It’s time for the County Council to take this issue out of the shadows. Hold town halls. Invite public input. Ask residents where they stand on using county resources to assist federal immigration enforcement — then pass an ordinance that reflects the will of the people.

Right now, we’re flying blind, lurching from one crisis to the next — and that’s dangerous. The federal government’s shifting definitions of “sanctuary” shouldn’t dictate how Baltimore County governs itself. Whether you agree or disagree with the DOJ’s labeling, the fact remains: confusion invites risk. And risk — legal, financial, and moral — costs money.

As a county facing serious budget shortfalls, we cannot afford uncertainty. Nor can we afford to spend local tax dollars enforcing federal mandates that many residents feel are inconsistently applied and politically motivated.

I believe in three simple truths:

1. Nobody has the right to break the law in Baltimore County.

2. Everyone in the United States — no matter their status — is entitled to due process under the Constitution.

3. Baltimore County doesn’t have unlimited money. We must do more with less.

These aren’t Republican or Democratic ideas. They’re common sense — and they’re Baltimore County values.

So here’s where I stand: As County Executive, I won’t resurrect a seven-year-old executive order that no longer fits today’s reality. And I won’t rubber-stamp a federal MOU just because someone in Washington says we must.

Instead, I’ll insist the County Council do its job: debate the issue publicly, draft an ordinance, and vote. Then let the people of Baltimore County see exactly where their leaders stand.

This isn’t about taking sides on immigration. It’s about taking responsibility for how we govern. The people of Baltimore County deserve to know what their government is doing — and why.

I’m not interested in scoring political points. I’m interested in restoring trust — in government, in law enforcement, and in each other.

At the end of the day, good government isn’t about who signs the order. It’s about who has the courage to lead in the open.