Baltimore County’s ICE Agreement Makes All of Us Less Safe: demand transparency now!
(Updated Friday, November 7th, 2025)
County Failures, Community Consequences: Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe
Community demands answers after County Executive “complies in advance” with Trump-era ICE agenda
WHAT: IBC organized a successful peaceful rally demanding transparency, accountability, and safety for immigrant families following County Executive Kathy Klausmeier’s unilateral agreement with federal immigration authorities. WHEN: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 — 4pm
WHERE: Old Courthouse, 400 Washington Ave, Towson, MD 21204
WHY:
• On Friday, October 31, 2025, the County Executive’s office confirmed that it had executed an MOU on October 27 with DHS/ICE/ERO Baltimore Field Office— without advance public notice or Council engagement.
• The MOU has since been released, but key questions remain unanswered: What commitments did the County make? What protections exist for residents? Who was consulted?
• In an atmosphere already charged with fear and distrust stemming from Trump-era immigration policies and ongoing ICE abuses, this lack of clarity deepens community anxiety and undermines public confidence.
Over 167 people were in attendance.
Photos and video snippets from IBC member and professional photographer Jerry Lazarus at https://photos.app.goo.gl/oTmt1LBQWTxJGNGQ8
Speakers and their remarks:
• Peta Richkus, Indivisible Baltimore County Steering Committee, community activist. Remarks
• Shazia Shaw, Transitional Housing Advisor, ICNA Relief (Islamic Circle of North America) and Democratic Central Committee member for District 44B, representing Dr. Zainab Chaudry, Maryland Director, Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) Remarks
• David Rocah, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU of Maryland Remarks
• Maureen Wambui, community advocate for Baltimore County’s African diaspora Remarks
• Earvin Gonzales, Deputy Director, CASA, Central Maryland region
• Reverend John Ballenger, long-time advocate for immigrant protections, and Pastor of Towson’s Woodbrook Baptist Church Remarks
• Jen Blalock, Indivisible Baltimore County and member of IBC’s Steering Committee, County resident, BCPS parent, and former trauma nurse. Follow-up Actions for Immigration Advocacy
Indivisible Baltimore County remains concerned after the release of the Memorandum of Understanding and by statements made by County Executive Kathy Klausmeier this weekend. We suggest all county residents look at the following link while we review the MOU and current procedures related to ICE.
Saturday, November 1st (updated November 7th):
Indivisible Baltimore County, in response to the news received November 1st regarding Baltimore County’s ‘Sanctuary’ status, is urging all Baltimore County residents to send the following letter to the County Executive and their Council member.
Please make sure to cc: the Baltimore County Chief of Immigrant Affairs, the County Administrative Officer, and your councilman.
To find your Council representative, visit: https://vote.baltimorecountymd.gov/Address.aspx?pageid=3
Suggested Language
To:
- County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, kathyk@baltimorecountymd.gov
- County Administrative Officer D’Andrea Walker, dwalker2@baltimorecountymd.gov
- Chief of Immigrant Affairs Giuliana Valencia-Banks gvalenciabanks@baltimorecountymd.gov
- County Councilman [name], [email]
Subject: Release All Records Related to Immigration Enforcement MOU
Dear County Executive Klausmeier,
While Baltimore County has now posted its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Enforcement and Removal Operations, Baltimore (ERO BAL), it is not enough.
The MOU places immigrant families, due process, and community safety at risk. As the ACLU of Maryland has pointed out in their MPIA request (publicly available here), the full record and related documents have not been released. Transparency requires more than a single document. County residents have the right to see all records related to this agreement — including correspondence, drafts, fiscal analyses, and legal reviews — so we can understand what commitments have been made in our name.
I am writing to demand full public transparency regarding this agreement. It was made without public notice, without legislative approval, and without community consultation - which is unacceptable.
Baltimore County voters have long opposed local involvement in federal immigration enforcement. That opposition was on full display Wednesday, November 5, 2025 when more that 160 people gathered outside the historic Towson Courthouse to express their outrage and objection to this unilateral action. Withholding related documents only deepens public concern and distrust. Thus making all Baltimore Countians less safe. Especially our minority and immigrant neighbors, friends, family members, and communities.
As a Baltimore County resident, I demand the immediate release all related records and the County's commitment to full transparency going forward. Executive action alone does not equal accountability. Transparency and legislative guardrails are required.
Please confirm receipt of this request and provide a date by which the referenced materials will be published. This is a request under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. Art. § 4-101 et seq. I ask that you please respond to this request as soon as possible, and within no more than 30 days, as required by § 4-203(a).
Baltimore County residents are watching — and we will be engaging with council members, and candidates for office, as to whether they will agree to 1. terminate the County's unconstitutional 10/27/2025 MOU, and 2. support legislation prohibiting local involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Council District]
Sources
Darreonna Davis