At once Crime and also Creep-in of Federalia
Here’s a clearer breakdown of what “sanctuary” status means — or doesn’t mean — for Montgomery County, Maryland, along with its origins and the county’s stance over time:
1. What Does “Sanctuary” Mean in This Context?
- In the U.S., a sanctuary jurisdiction (also known as a sanctuary city/county) refers to places that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Common policies include refusing to honor ICE detainers—administrative requests to hold individuals—or not asking about immigration status during police or administrative interactions (Conduit Street, Wikipedia).
- These policies rest on constitutional principles like the Tenth Amendment, which restricts the federal government from compelling local authorities to enforce immigration law (American Immigration Council).
2. Montgomery County’s Policies and History
Early Foundations (2014–2019)
- Starting in 2014, Montgomery County began implementing sanctuary-like policies: police and corrections departments were prohibited from enforcing federal immigration laws or honoring ICE detainers (FAIRUS).
- County Executive Marc Elrich later expanded on this with Executive Order 135‑19 (circa 2019), which forbids all county employees from asking about immigration status and reaffirms that the county neither conducts immigration enforcement nor investigations (FAIRUS).
Official Denial of “Sanctuary” Label
- Despite these internal policies, the county has never officially declared itself a “sanctuary” jurisdiction (Montgomery County MD).
- The language intentionally avoids the politically loaded term, focusing instead on public safety and trust—emphasizing that they do not ask about immigration status in critical situations like 911 calls or school enrollment (Montgomery County MD).
3. Federal Designation & County Reaction (2025)
- In May 2025, the Trump administration (though that’s a misnomer—a new executive order from President Trump designated jurisdictions as “sanctuary”) included Montgomery County on a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” nationwide (WBAL).
- The designation was based on factors like noncompliance with federal immigration requests, information restrictions, and protections for undocumented immigrants (WBFF).
- The county responded strongly, stating that the designation was inaccurate. They reiterated that they cooperate with ICE in serious criminal cases and are not in violation of federal law (Montgomery County MD).
- Clear statements from the county website and Executive Elrich emphasized Montgomery County is not a sanctuary jurisdiction (Conduit Street).
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Meaning of “Sanctuary” | Limits on local cooperation with ICE detainers and inquiries about immigration status |
| Montgomery County Policies | Policies since 2014/2016 limiting status inquiries; 2019 EO binds all county employees |
| Official Self-Identification | Declines to declare itself as a sanctuary jurisdiction |
| Federal Label (2025) | Labeled by DHS as “sanctuary,” which the county disputes and considers misleading |
In Summary
Montgomery County has indeed adopted policies traditionally associated with sanctuary jurisdictions—like not honoring ICE detainers and not asking about immigration status—but it has not formally embraced that label. The county emphasizes its approach as about public safety and trust, not defiance of federal law. When DHS named it a sanctuary jurisdiction in 2025, the county rejected the characterization, saying it cooperates with ICE in serious criminal matters and remains compliant with federal law.