Maryland Continues Path To Shield Illegal Aliens With “Probation Not Detention” Bill
Shari Rendall
State and Local Engagement Director
FAIR Take | March 2022
The passage of last year’s sanctuary and detention ban bill in Maryland did nothing to pump the brakes on pro-illegal alien proposals in 2022. Despite the Biden administration’s lack of immigration enforcement, Maryland legislators are determined to provide even more benefits to illegal aliens than to struggling Maryland citizens.
Early in this year’s legislative session, several bills were introduced that would further shield criminal aliens and act as a magnet for more illegal immigration including legislation to provide counsel to those in removal proceedings, to allow probation before pleading guilty to a crime, and to grant occupational or professional licenses to illegal aliens. Hearings for these bills were scheduled early in the session and it seemed like they would all move quickly through the legislative process.
After the three bills had hearings in February, they seemed to falter, languishing in committee without consideration. This was despite tremendous pressure from pro-illegal alien groups like CASA de Maryland and the Maryland ACLU, among others. However, just before the crossover deadline of March 21, the so-called “Probation Not Deportation” bill, House Bill (HB) 559 moved. It passed the House Judiciary Committee on March 17 and the next day passed the full House, its chamber of origin.
https://www.fairus.org/issue/state-and-local-legislation/sanctuary-policies/maryland-continues-path-shield-illegal-aliens
