Anne Arundel Co. Official To Push Official-English Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- An Anne Arundel County councilman is planning to introduce a bill that would make English the official language of the county.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Jerry Walker, a Republican, said the bill is the first in a series he plans to push to stem illegal immigration in Anne Arundel. The bill would require all official county documents, communications and agreements to be in English.

The bill would not prohibit the county from continuing to distribute information in foreign languages to protect the rights of victims or crime and criminal defendants, protect public health and safety and promote trade and tourism.

Kim Propeack, of the immigrant advocacy group Casa de Maryland, says Walker's bill would likely have little impact.

Walker plans to introduce the bill on Monday.

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