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Glenarden council debates resolution to safeguard immigrant communities; legal limits and enforcement concerns surface
Summary
Councilwoman Fareed introduced a resolution expressing the city’s intent to limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and to affirm protections for immigrant residents; council members sought legal review and voiced concerns about practical limits.
Councilwoman Fareed introduced Resolution R307-2025 on Feb. 1, 2025, affirming the City of Glenarden’s commitment to protecting immigrant communities, rejecting xenophobic policies and limiting city cooperation with federal immigration enforcement except where required by law.
Fareed said the resolution was drafted in response to recent presidential executive actions and county guidance and was modeled in part on Prince George’s County policies: “This resolution was drafted in response to the executive orders that were...issued by the current president of The United States. And considering the fact that we have a large immigrant population in the city of Glenarden...making sure that they feel safe,” she said.
Some council members warned the resolution could create a false sense of security because local authorities may be unable to prevent federal enforcement actions. Councilman O’Hara said municipal actions cannot legally stop federal enforcement and expressed concern the resolution could “put a target on some people's backs.” Councilman Herring likewise raised the point that crossing the border is a federal offense and said local officials must uphold federal law.
Police Chief Bridal told the council that his department is following a guidance memorandum on local law enforcement and federal immigration interaction and that the department’s current instructions largely align with items in the resolution: “...my office has already been instructed on how how to handle these type of situations. And we’re following the guidance memorandum,” Chief Bridal said. The chief added that when federal agents operate with valid judicial warrants, local officers’ role is largely observational to confirm proper paperwork.
Councilmembers asked whether the city attorney had reviewed the draft for legal sufficiency. Fareed said the text was modeled on county language and that she intended to forward specific legal questions to Mr. Kopinski, the city attorney. Vice President Ferguson asked to co-sponsor the resolution; Fareed asked the clerk to add Ferguson as a co-sponsor.
No final vote was taken. Council members requested a legal review and clarification from the city attorney and asked staff to coordinate with county and law-enforcement guidance before returning the item for further action.
