02/05/2026
As many of you may know, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) representatives are currently active in our Baltimore County neighborhoods. Verified officers do have the legal authority to enforce Federal laws regarding citizenship and individuals and business owners are advised not to interfere with them in the performance of their duties. You do have the right to observe and film agents on public property. It is advisable that when you are recording, you should narrate to your phone what you are doing, that is speak to yourself in a calm tone describing the situation.
Do not block, touch or interfere physically with any agents. You are there to witness, not escalate. If the situation becomes unsafe, fall back and record from a distance. In essence, you should always be in a position of retreat, and in fact if you are walking backwards from a situation, you should openly state that you are retreating from the agent and/or situation and turn the camera to yourself when you are stating this.
There are many school students that will be exercising their First Amendment Right to express their views regarding ICE agents in our community. Students have an absolute right to peacefully assemble on school grounds. To all parents, please insist that if your child is participating in any event, they are absolutely not permitted to leave public school grounds and at the conclusion of any protest, they are to return to their classrooms.
For the many business owners who have called me regarding this matter, it is my strongest recommendation that you do not interfere with the agents and allow them to enter your establishments and perform their lawful duties. You may also videotape their actions, but remain professional throughout the event.
Currently, the ICE agents are detaining and transporting individuals at a center in Baltimore City near Hopkins Plaza and the Immigration Court. I do suggest that if this event occurs, that individuals and family members contact the CASA hotline at 1-888-214-6016. This is a nonprofit organization that can assist you and help navigate this difficult situation.
I am personally available to our community if you have any further questions.
