Montgomery County Exec Slams Trump’s Sanctuary Label as Fear-Mongering

Montgomery County, Maryland, found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown after being labeled a 'sanctuary jurisdiction.' County Executive Marc Elrich, a Democrat, fired back, accusing the administration of stoking fear and unfairly targeting immigrants. In a sharp statement, Elrich insisted the county complies with federal law, cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on cases involving violent crimes or serious felonies. 'We don’t govern by fear,' he declared, emphasizing that Montgomery County prioritizes law and community values over political posturing.

The controversy intensified with the case of Nelson Vladimir Amaya-Benitez, a Salvadoran national and MS-13 gang member. ICE reported that Montgomery County’s Detention Center repeatedly failed to honor immigration detainers, including an incident last month when Amaya was released after a conviction for attempted motor vehicle theft. County officials admitted the oversight, with Ben Stevenson, Director of Correction and Rehabilitation, calling it an 'error' in a statement. Stevenson reaffirmed the county’s policy of working with ICE on cases involving verified gang members or serious offenders.

Elrich, during a media briefing, acknowledged the mistake but stressed it wasn’t a deliberate defiance of federal authority. Meanwhile, the Trump administration, doubling down on its immigration agenda, has set ambitious goals to ramp up deportations, spotlighting jurisdictions like Montgomery County in its broader push to curb illegal immigration.