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Council president opposes 287(g) cooperation; county police urge residents to keep reporting crimes

Montgomery County Council — 'En Sintonía' (radio program) · January 30, 2026

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Summary

Council leaders told the Maryland Senate judicial committee they oppose 287(g)‑style immigration enforcement partnerships; the county police spokesperson urged residents to report crimes and said officers do not ask about immigration status.

Montgomery County officials used the county’s Spanish‑language council program to describe two related public‑safety messages: a council official testified before the state Senate judicial committee opposing 287(g)‑style cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and the county police spokesperson urged residents not to be afraid to call police.

Council testimony: The program said the council is supporting Senate bill 245 as it monitors state deliberations. A speaker identified in the broadcast as Council President Fanny González told the Senate’s judicial committee that the county does not need 287(g) programs—federal‑local partnerships that empower local officers to perform certain immigration‑enforcement tasks—and that such cooperation can deter residents from calling police. On air she framed the concern as a public‑safety issue: if residents fear immigration consequences they may not report crimes.

Police reassurance: Mariela León, a Montgomery County Police Department spokesperson, told the program: “no le va a preguntar por su estatus migratorio” when officers take a call or make a stop, and she encouraged people to call 911 in emergencies and the county non‑emergency line for other concerns. León said county officers are there to protect residents, regardless of immigration status.

What happens next: The program said the Senate judicial committee will consider testimony on Senate bill 245 and then the bill would proceed to full Senate and the House of Delegates if advanced; no formal county vote or policy change was announced on the broadcast.

Context: The on‑air remarks reflect advocacy positions presented to the state committee; the program did not provide legislative text or a committee vote during the broadcast.