Former federal immigration officers could be blocked from working at Montgomery County libraries, recreation centers, police stations and firehouses under a new bill.

Expedited Bill 29-26, the "Community Trust in County Employees Act," would ban county agencies that deal directly with the public from hiring anyone who worked for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection on or after October 1, 2025. The measure covers departments Potomac residents use routinely: Health and Human Services, Police, Fire and Rescue, Transportation, Permitting Services, Recreation and public libraries.

Councilmember Kristin Mink of District 5 is the lead sponsor. At-large Councilmember Will Jawando, the Democratic nominee for county executive, co-sponsors the bill.

Mink told The Banner she introduced the legislation after hearing from service providers about drops in people seeking help, though she did not cite specific figures.

"That includes everything from our food hubs to health care programs to even kids coming in to use our county rec facilities," Mink said.

Who testified

Gabriela Rivera of the Montgomery County Immigrant Rights Collective spoke in favor, telling the council that fear of immigration enforcement is keeping residents from accessing county resources. Rivera referenced a fatal ICE shooting in Maine on Monday, in which immigrant rights groups identified the man killed as a 26-year-old from Colombia.

Esther Wells, a Republican county executive candidate who testified as an individual, was the sole opponent. Wells called the screening process "unwarranted and overly broad" and raised concerns that fiscal and equity impact statements were not available for the hearing.

The council also received written testimonies from the nonprofit We Are CASA and Manna Food Center, both supporting the bill.

The bill defines "restricted applicants" as anyone employed by ICE or CBP on or after October 1, 2025, or assigned by the federal government after that date to help enforce immigration laws. People whose federal assignment ended within six months of starting are exempt.

Joyce Smithey, chair of the Maryland State Bar Association's labor and employment chapter and managing partner of Smithey Law Group, told The Banner that while "previous employment" is not a protected class under Maryland law, the bill's breadth raises constitutional questions. "This bill is really broad. That's much harder to uphold," Smithey said.

The legislation is separate from the county's existing Community Trust Act, the sanctuary-style law now facing a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit filed Friday. Prince George's County passed a similar hiring restriction in April, which Mink said partly inspired her bill.

What's next

Because it was introduced as an expedited bill, the measure would take effect immediately if passed. The bill next goes to a joint Public Safety and Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee work session scheduled for October 1. Residents can submit written testimony through the county council's online portal.