Maryland leaders oppose Trump's immigration policies, brace for federal funding risks

MARYLAND — In anticipation of Trump’s presidency, local leaders are vowing to push back against his mass deportation plans.

On Thursday, Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor became the state’s latest elected official to publicly condemn Trump’s immigration policies.

“This election cycle did not go as I had hoped,” said O’Connor, “I want to make clear to our immigrant community that we will use any and all avenues to ensure you know you are safe in Frederick,” he said.

At a press conference dedicated to laying out Fredericks response to Trump’s administration, O’Connor said he would bar any cooperation with federal immigration agents and proposed the creation of a “Legal Advocacy Fund.” Which would use tax dollars to pay undocumented immigrant’s attorney fees.

“Ensuring they have the legal support they need to stand strong and remain in this community they have chosen to call home,” said O’Connor.

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Earlier this week, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman voiced similar concerns.

“We will do everything we can to make sure that people have legal representation, people have services and if people are deported we will be providing services to families when their breadwinner leaves,” said Pittman.

Along with Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, “We know that we are looking at challenges in the years ahead,” said Scott.

And Governor Wes Moore, who recently paid a consulting firm $190,000 to prepare for a Trump presidency.

“Marylanders are worried about what this election means for themselves, their families, and their future,” said Moore.

Weighing in on how the pushback could unfold, “They're not going to be able to ignore federal immigration law,” said Betsy Smith with the National Police Association.

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Smith warns a lack of cooperation won’t stop ICE agents from removing undocumented immigrants.

“The federal government will prevail because it is against the law to harbor people who are in this country illegally,” she said.

But, she says, it will put Maryland's public safety and federal funding at risk.

“The federal funding will ultimately dry up and they're going to be stuck supporting these massive amounts of illegal aliens, including the thousands that are criminals, and it's going to create an untenable situation for the leadership and for the communities,” said Smith.

Currently, federal funding is crucial for the state. Maryland is already facing a significant budget shortfall, and plans to rebuild the key bridge and expand public transportation are on the line.