Media Contact

Contacts: Meredith Curtis Goode, media@aclu-md.org, office: (410)-889-8555 and cell: (443)-310-9946 

June 14, 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

June 14: Rally for Immigrants' Rights Before Frederick Sheriff's Steering Committee Meeting on 287(g) Program

FREDERICK, MD - At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, a group of concerned Frederick area residents, community organizations, and civil rights organizations will rally against the Frederick County 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which deputizes local police as federal immigration enforcers. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office's Steering Committee will hold a meeting about the program at 7 p.m.

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office has had a 287(g) program since August 1, 2008, claiming it is for public safety, targeting serious criminals. But Sheriff Chuck Jenkins' implementation of the program suggests otherwise. In 2010, over 80 percent of arrests were for low-level offenses, and over 60 percent for traffic violations. Over 90 percent of detainers issued from 2008 to 2011 were for misdemeanor offenses. In June 2015, only 11 percent of the individuals with immigration detainers were charged with felonies. 

In most cases, Sheriff Jenkins is pursuing immigration cases against people who pose no security risk. He is needlessly tearing families apart - families who are part of the fabric of the Frederick County community.

WHAT: Rally for immigrants' rights before Frederick Sheriff's Office Steering Committee meeting on anti-immigrant 287(g) program.

WHO: CASA, Liz Alex; ACLU of Maryland, Nick Steiner; Showing Up for Racial Justice - Frederick, Lauren Siegmund; Council on American-Islamic Relations, Zainab Chaudry; Caucus of African American Leaders, William Rau; Frederick immigration attorney Sara Movahed; Frederick social justice activist Guy Djoken; and more local voices.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 14 at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Outside Winchester Hall, Frederick County Government Building, 12 East Church Street, Frederick, MD, 21701.

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