Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly announced on April 14 his opposition to the recent passage of Maryland Senate Bill 791, which prohibits communication between local and federal law enforcement agencies.
The statement comes after what Cassilly described as a last-minute approval of the bill. He said the legislation could have serious consequences for public safety in Harford County and beyond.
Cassilly cited past incidents involving criminal illegal immigrants in Harford County. “Harford County has already suffered the loss of two innocent women brutally murdered by criminal illegal immigrants living in our midst,” he said. He argued that the new state law would prevent local police from alerting federal immigration authorities about such individuals, which he believes increases risks to community safety.
Calling Senate Bill 791 “an outrageous and unconstitutional gag order that is legally unsound,” Cassilly said he supports efforts by local law enforcement to maintain communication with federal agencies despite what he termed a “reckless law.” In his statement, Cassilly added, “I support any effort by local law enforcement to communicate with federal law enforcement agencies despite this reckless law.”
The passage of Senate Bill 791 marks a significant change in how local and federal authorities may interact regarding immigration matters. The debate over cooperation between different levels of government on these issues continues across Maryland and other states.
Looking ahead, it remains uncertain how implementation of this legislation will unfold or whether legal challenges will arise as officials like Cassilly voice their concerns.
