A summary of Lara's stance:

• No one is above the law.

• Everyone gets equal protection under our laws.

• Accountability and transparency in our law enforcement procedures.

• Lawful, humane immigration policy that reflects American values.

• Lawful pathways to work and citizenship that strengthen Maryland’s economy and communities.

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I don’t have a problem with the 287g law as passed in 1996 under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The intent of the 287(g) Program was to allow collaboration among law enforcement agencies - state, local, and tribal - to apprehend and remove criminal aliens. These efforts are designed to enhance public safety for local communities, by focusing on removing CRIMINAL alients.

 

My problem with 287g is how it's been implemented in our communities.  The U.S. Supreme Court made it clear in a 2012  decision that Arizona sheriff’s 287g program habit of “detaining individuals solely to verify their immigration status would raise constitutional concerns.”  

 

Our own Sheriff Jenkins has been at the center of such infractions since 2008. Federal Court ruled in 2013 that Sheriff Jenkins and any other local and state law enforcement in the 287g program cannot enforce civil immigration law and have no legal authority to arrest or even briefly detain the plaintiff on the basis of a suspected civil immigration status violation.  A similar case was filed again in 2023 against Frederick’s Sheriff Jenkins.

 

Furthermore, the courts all agree that Agents violate the U.S. Constitution (such as the 4th and 5th Amendments) if they knowingly detain a U.S. citizen based on immigration status or racial profiling.

 

No one is above the law. Right now, our immigration laws are not being applied in an equal, fair, or moral way.  

 

ICE, specifically, acts like they are above the law. This needs to stop.   

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No government agency gets to choose who has Constitutional rights in the United States.  Our immigration system must follow the constitution’s requirements in a lawful, orderly, and humane way. 

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Everyone gets equal protection under USA laws. This is a core American principle and a responsibility of our government at every level.  

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America can uphold the rule of law while also treating people with dignity and fairness.  Equality under the law is not negotiable.  

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Accountability and transparency in our law enforcement procedures. All law enforcement personnel need to abide by our laws. They must meet the basics of identifying themselves, state why they are arresting someone, and provide the person with their Miranda rights. 

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Above all, ICE agents need to stop violating our laws by arresting people based on skin color, accent, food they are eating, or where they live.  

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Public safety and civil rights must go hand in hand.

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Lawful, humane immigration policy that reflects American values has been the cornerstone of our 250+ year history. I am a second-generation American. My family’s story, like so many others, reflects the American promise of opportunity, hard work, and contribution.  I am living proof that the American dream is real.

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During the last 25 years, I have worked to advance equal treatment for all residents in Frederick County. Through my involvement with the Deaf Community, NAACP, CASA Maryland, Centro Hispano, the Asian American Center, Xa Loi, the ACLU, the Human Rights Campaign, and others, I have supported efforts to ensure that our laws are applied fairly and that the government remains accountable.

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As Chief of Staff to Senator Ron Young, I helped ensure the protection of individual rights and autonomy, as well as the lawful application of law enforcement policies such as 287g by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. 

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Lawful pathways to work and citizenship that strengthen Maryland’s economy and communities.  This is not a new concept in America. In 1986, President Reagan and House Speaker Tip O'Neill came together to pass the bipartisan bill Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).  The IRCA provided a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The law allowed those residing in the U.S. to apply for lawful permanent residence, pay fines, and meet background checks.

 

President Reagan recognized the value of immigrants who came to America and embedded themselves in their communities.  It is how America has historically strengthened and diversified our local economies.  We need to support new measures to provide citizenship for undocumented immigrants who want to join our nation.

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As your Senator for District 4, I will work to ensure that every resident is treated equally and with respect under the law, in their communities, and by all government offices and officials. I will support policies that protect civil liberties, promote lawful pathways to work and citizenship, and ensure local law enforcement operates within the law and with transparency.