This is a longer email about our broken immigration system, but if you have the time I hope you'll read it.
Our immigration system has been broken for a very long time. And that blame rests on the shoulders of both Democratic and Republican administrations. But there's something different about this administration's handling of the issue.
If Donald Trump wanted to solve the problem happening at our nation's border, he could have a bill on his desk tomorrow. Republicans are in control of the House and the Senate. His Party could get this done. But they don't want to.
In fact, they can't be bothered to fix the problem because they're too busy throwing fuel on the fire. ICE's budget has ballooned to $85 billion in the past few years — bigger than the FBI, the DEA, and many militaries around the world. And let's be clear, this isn't holding the worst of the worst accountable. Instead of using that massive budget to enforce the law, they're using it to detain 5 year olds.
And just recently in Salisbury, on the Eastern Shore, a mother with a sick son was arrested by ICE. She told them she needed to see him, and they didn't care. He died of cancer while she was in custody. This cruelty isn't making any of us safer.
I know what this fear does to our communities firsthand. I was raised by an immigrant single mom. She didn't have a job with benefits until I was thirteen years old, and had to work multiple jobs just to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads. And I can't help but think about her when I see what this administration is doing to communities across this country under the guise of "keeping people safe."
In Maryland, we know what it looks like to treat people with decency and respect while actually making our communities safer. Our state has had one of the fastest drops in violent crime anywhere in America. And we did that without sending agents into our communities that are untrained, unqualified, and unaccountable. We did it through an all of the above approach that included working with local law enforcement and community groups.
But we will not rest until everyone feels safe in their neighborhood. That is why last week I signed emergency legislation that prevents State and local agencies from deputizing officers to work under ICE's oversight for federal civil immigration enforcement activity.
It's a very clear statement to our community that we believe in everyone's safety. We'll continue holding offenders accountable while sparing our communities from unconstitutional policing and unaccountable federal agents as well.
That's what it means to put public safety first. And we'll continue doing everything we can to make every Marylander feel safe in our communities, with or without the federal government.
You can read more about these latest announcements here.
Thank you,
Wes
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