DHS slams Montgomery County's new ICE tracking portal, says it will 'put lives in danger'
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is slamming Montgomery County officials following the launch of a new online portal where residents can report Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in their communities.
“ICE tracking portals put the lives of the men and women of law enforcement in danger as they go after terrorists, vicious gangs and violent criminal rings. Our law officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,300% in vehicle attacks, and an 8000% increase in death threats," Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said.
The portal allows users to report whether ICE agents are wearing masks, or if they are on county property. Users can also report when and where enforcement is happening, upload photos and choose whether to submit reports anonymously.
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The reporting portal was created as part of two county laws approved earlier this year: the Unmask ICE Act and the County Values Act.
“To be crystal clear: we will not abide by unconstitutional mask bans. The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that Maryland’s sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement," Bis said.
DHS laid out several cases where ICE has arrested illegal immigrant criminals in Maryland, some who have been convicted of rape, murder and sex crimes against children.
- Vladimir Herrera-Garcia, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted of homicide and larceny
- Manuel Portillo Cardoza, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted of assault and lewd or lascivious acts with minor
- Jose Rivera Medrano, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted of incest with minor, sex offense against child-fondling, and another sex offense
- Nilo Herrera Sanchez, a criminal illegal alien from Peru, convicted of strongarm rape, sex assault, sex offense, and rape with weapon
- Jeffry Alfaro Lemus, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, and member of M.S.13, convicted of possession of weapon
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich claimed the new tracking portal does not prevent federal immigration authorities from carrying out arrests.
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“It doesn’t stop them from making arrests, whatever they’re doing within the bounds that they’re allowed to do it in,” Elrich said. “We have not made it impossible for them to operate. We’ve just said you’re not doing it on our property.”
The county also said reports submitted through the portal will not generate a direct county response or be monitored for emergencies, but that residents seeking assistance will be directed to the immigration advocacy group CASA, who will provide resources and guidance on handling encounters with immigration authorities.
However, Council President Natali Fani-González said during a briefing that the portal will "help us get a sense of what's happening" and "be ready to confront situations which may increase."
Elrich also rejected suggestions that the new portal would make Montgomery County a sanctuary jurisdiction, but said it serves as a way to place limits on ICE operations where the county has authority.