As Immigration Policies Tighten, Maryland’s Latino Caucus Aims to Shield Migrant Families
In the face of increasingly harsh immigration rhetoric and policies, the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus is gearing up for a critical session, tasked with defending migrant communities against growing threats. With only 90 days to act, lawmakers face a high-stakes fight as they work to protect families, safeguard recent legislative gains, and push back against national trends that threaten local progress.
Pressing Challenges Loom
The new political climate under President-elect Donald Trump, promising widespread deportations and tougher immigration enforcement, has escalated concerns for Maryland’s immigrant population. An overwhelming majority of Maryland voters have expressed support for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, further complicating the Latino Caucus’s mission.
Rep. Ashanti Martinez (D-Prince George’s), chair of the Legislative Latino Caucus, emphasized the urgency of their task. “We have a tall task in protecting folks here in Maryland, and we only have 90 days,” Martinez said. “Knowing that Maryland could be a target of the new administration’s immigration policies, our No. 1 priority is protecting families.”
In these trying times, the caucus’s work takes on a heightened sense of importance. With the political landscape shifting, the need for legislation that protects migrant families has never been more critical. Martinez has expressed hope, however, pointing to ongoing dialogues with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and other state lawmakers as a source of optimism. These conversations, alongside the caucus’s ability to garner broad support, may pave the way for effective legislative action.
A Strong and Growing Voice in the State Legislature
Founded in 2014, the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus began as a small but determined group of lawmakers advocating for the rights and welfare of the Latino community. The caucus now includes not just its seven Hispanic members but 83 additional associate members from both chambers of the state legislature, making it a significant force.
Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery), vice chair of the caucus, pointed to this growing coalition as a key asset in the fight to defend migrant families. “That collective voice gets laws passed,” Acevero said. “It helps build bridges and create allies across the state.”
The caucus’s role has become increasingly important as anti-immigrant sentiment gains ground at the national level. As state legislators, they are in a unique position to push back against federal actions by passing local laws that protect vulnerable populations.
A Continued Focus on Latino Rights and Community Contributions
The caucus’s mission remains focused on advancing the interests of Maryland’s Latino community. From its inception, the group has been dedicated to both defending the progress made by Latinos in the state and promoting a fuller recognition of their contributions.
Del. Acevero noted that the caucus’s ongoing work has been guided by a singular goal: “To ensure the advancement of the Latino community here in Maryland, while also protecting the gains that we have made as a community, as well as highlighting the contributions of Latinos in Maryland.” This mission remains central to the caucus’s legislative priorities, particularly in light of growing political challenges.
One of the key legislative victories for the caucus came in 2022 with the passage of the Dignity, Not Detention Act. This groundbreaking law aimed to limit the power of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within Maryland, effectively closing ICE detention centers in the state, banning family separations, and prohibiting police from using immigration status as a basis for enforcement.
Building on the Dignity, Not Detention Act
The Dignity, Not Detention Act has been a cornerstone of the caucus’s work, earning praise from immigrant communities across Maryland for its protective provisions. Acevero stressed that the work doesn’t end with this success. For the caucus, this legislative session is focused on fortifying the gains made under the 2022 law and ensuring its ongoing impact.
“We are building on the Dignity, Not Detention Act and making sure that we are protecting those gains,” Acevero explained. “We’re ensuring that no new contracts are initiated between ICE and local jurisdictions.”
The caucus’s advocacy for migrant families is also centered on making sure that any actions taken by local law enforcement or state authorities do not further jeopardize the safety of undocumented individuals or families living in Maryland. Strengthening the Dignity, Not Detention Act is therefore a priority, as it directly addresses concerns about ICE involvement and local police cooperation.
As Maryland legislators debate these issues, the Latino Caucus faces fierce opposition from those who support tighter immigration controls. However, as both state lawmakers and immigrant advocates recognize, protecting migrant communities is a fight worth taking on. With an energized coalition and a clear sense of purpose, the Legislative Latino Caucus is determined to ensure that Maryland remains a safe haven for those seeking refuge.
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