Legislation Would Formalize Police Approach to Civil Immigration Law
Rockville’s Mayor and Council will on June 19 consider adopting “Fostering Community Trust,” an ordinance that would amend and add a section to Chapter 11 of the City of Rockville’s “Human Rights” code.
The ordinance restricts all City of Rockville employees – including police officers – from requesting citizenship or immigration status of any person unless required by law. Presently, the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) does not have a formal, written policy that governs how officers interact with members of the community relevant to federal immigration law. The RCPD follows policies and guidelines established by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), as well as all state and federal laws.
The proposed change to the code was introduced by Councilmember Julie Palakovich Carr at the Feb. 27 Mayor and Council meeting. A March 6 public hearing on the role of the Rockville Police Department in the enforcement of federal immigration laws attracted a significant amount of public testimony and written comment. The June 19 meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave.
Learn more at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter or call the City Clerk’s office at 240-314-8280. Additional information is available in the Agenda Center for the Feb. 27 meeting and March 6 hearing. Videos of those meetings can be viewed in the Agenda Center by selecting the television icon next to the Feb. 27 or March 6 meeting listing.