Board delays vote on immigration enforcement resolution after legal review requested

Baltimore County — The Board of Education of Baltimore County postponed consideration of a resolution on immigration enforcement in schools after legal counsel said the draft needed closer review and several board members asked for edits.

Board member Christina Pumphrey introduced the resolution as an added agenda item on Feb. 25 and argued the board should "take a stand showing support of our students, all of our students," citing reports of increased absenteeism among immigrant students. "Students are scared to go to school and families are worried about sending them to school," Pumphrey said.

Nut graf: Members of the public and unions urged the board to adopt clear protections for immigrant and mixed‑status families. The board instead voted to postpone consideration so both board and school system legal counsel can review the draft and recommend changes that ensure compliance with Maryland law and education policy.

At least two advocacy groups addressed the board. Edwin Perez of the Baltimore County PTA Council urged support for mixed‑status families and later asked the board to support the Healthy School Start Times bills at the state legislature. Bridal Delos Santos of CASA’s Baltimore office urged the board to adopt not only a resolution but also a policy so every school knows how to respond if immigration enforcement appears on campus.

Board counsel Christopher Burns (general counsel) told members he had seen the draft only in the previous hour and warned it included "non Maryland standard terms and verbiage" and that some provisions — including those touching student records and FERPA — "may or may not be consistent with Maryland law and or the school system's policies." He said he was "concerned that at least 1 or 2 provisions here could open the door to impermissible political speech to captive minors in the classroom." Burns recommended a fuller legal review.

Following debate, the board agreed to postpone consideration. A motion to postpone consideration "until it's had an opportunity to be reviewed by board and school system legal counsel" carried on a roll call vote. The board chair recorded the motion as passing with a majority in favor.

Ending: Board members said they want a resolution with enforceable language; several members said they would support a revised version after counsel’s review. The resolution may return to a future meeting after legal edits and committee review.