WASHINGTON — After reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Howard County on Wednesday morning, Howard County executive Calvin Ball released a statement saying the county's police won't assist ICE in its operations.
According to Ball, the Wednesday morning ICE activity was "part of a specific, standard criminal enforcement operation, not a raid or sweep."
But he said Howard County police weren't involved in the operation.
"Though I want to put a stop to any misinformation, I also want to reassure every resident that Howard County opposes the criminalization of undocumented people," Ball said in a press release.
According to Ball, the priority of Howard County law enforcement is the safety and security of the community.
"I want to be clear, Howard County Police do not and will not assist ICE in the enforcement of civil violations of federal immigration laws," Ball said. "Officers in Howard County do not ask residents about their immigration status, nor do they contact ICE if they learn of a civil violation of federal immigration laws."
Ball isn't the first to announce he wont support ICE activity. Both the Chicago Police Department and L.A. Police Departments said they won't help ICE with migrant sweeps.
Additionally, President Trump delayed the migrant sweeps after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called President Trump, asking him to call off the operation.
"At the request of Democrats, I have delayed the Illegal Immigration Removal Process [Deportation] for two weeks to see if the Democrats and Republicans can get together and work out a solution to the Asylum and Loophole problems at the Southern Border," Trump said on Twitter. "If not, Deportations start!"
Ball said that he joined other officials across the region to discuss local immigrant communities, "and on the importance of safeguarding our civil rights."
"Today, I stand firm in those beliefs and will continue working to protect the dignity and safety of all our residents," Ball said. "In Howard County, we believe diversity is our strength and we will always value inclusion above division."
Ball assured Howard County residents that the local government would continue to put their safety first, whether undocumented or documented. Ball emphasized that residents should know their rights.
"Our community will not be baited by fear and we must hold tight to our shared value of compassion," Ball said. "Howard County stands united against hate and in solidarity with one another.”