Montgomery County committees unanimously advance 'Promoting Community Trust and Immigrant Protection Act' to full council

At a joint session of Montgomery County's Government Operations and Fiscal Policy and Public Safety committees, members voted unanimously to advance Expedited Bill 35-25, the Promoting Community Trust and Immigrant Protection Act, to the full County Council.

The bill, presented by council staff, is designed to codify County Executive Order 135.19 (2019) and to ensure residents — including immigrant communities — can interact with county departments without fear that information will be used for civil immigration enforcement. Ms. Wellens, a council staff presenter, said the measure "would restrict county employees or departments from inquiring about individuals' immigration status, unless required by law, judicial order, or international treaty." She added the proposal is intended to prevent threats or discrimination based on immigration status and to stop conditioning county services on…