Recap of 4/4/25 Virtual Meeting with Congressman John Olszewski, Jr. , Addressing ICE Actions and His Response

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Members of Indivisible Baltimore County, along with other civic groups, participated in a virtual meeting with Mandy Remmell, Outreach Coordinator for Representative Johnny Olszewski.

The meeting was arranged by Baltimore Peace Action. Early in the meeting, attendees voiced the urgent need for Johnny O. to step up and lead, becoming much more vocal about the ongoing, unconstitutional actions of ICE.

Remmell responded that the congressman is very concerned about the issue but needs groups and individuals to publicize the stories of those affected. When asked if Johnny O. was willing to hold a press conference at the ICE Field Office at Hopkins Plaza, downtown Baltimore. Remmell promised to ask him about this.

Remmell also committed to urging Rep. Olszewski to make a public, multilingual statement addressing how mass deportation fears are affecting school-aged children. Since many are afraid to attend and risk their parents being deported, absenteeism is up, meaning students are missing out on educational opportunities.

Other concerns and questions were raised, including the following:

  • The need for bail review hearings to speed release from detention and prevent people being sent to Louisiana, Texas, and even CECOT (the Terrorism Confinement Center, a maximum security prison) in El Salvador
  • Racial profiling by ICE
  • The need for more Know Your Rights Training sessions (and distribution of red Know Your Rights cards)
  • The need for all of us (not merely those at risk of being targeted) to know how to handle ICE interactions. This means the general public–employers, colleagues, friends, and family members
  • How to protect Hopkins students, faculty, and staff. This includes making it easier for them to check their visa status.

Remmell also mentioned Johnny O’s upcoming town hall at Towson University on 4/10/25 at 7:00 p.m. Although all in–person reservations are taken, the event can be livestreamed at olszewski.house.gov/live.

In a follow-up email exchange, Steering Committee member Peta Richkus explained to Remmell that she'd discussed the potential press conference with Olszewski at the 4/5 City Hall #HandsOff event and that the congressman had responded positively. Remmell's reply was "After the Town Hall, I will have a better idea on what the appetite for a press conference is and additional proactive action in the community to bring awareness and shine more of a light on these unlawful deportations."

By taking a bold, visible stand with this press conference, Congressman Olszewski can bring urgently needed attention to the administration's unlawful detentions and deportations. We plan to keep pressing the issue with him. What a powerful message he, and we, could all send, showing up boldly and speaking out passionately, right there at ICE's Baltimore headquarters.