Baltimore Co. Exec Fighting to Protect Undocumented College Students

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A top Baltimore County official is taking a firm stance on the issue following a political firestorm on the subject that's erupted since Donald Trump was elected president.

George Solis has reaction and the response from other local leaders.

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz sent a letter to Governor Hogan saying he is directing police to avoid going after undocumented students.

Meanwhile other policing agencies say their focus right now is on cracking down on criminals who are in the country illegally.

One of many promises made by the president-elect to deport millions of undocumented immigrants that's stirring controversy.

Especially among students across Maryland college campuses like Maria Senteno.

"It's scary this whole situation has been very scary," said undocumented student Senteno.

In an effort to calm those fears, some local leaders are voicing their opposition to any potential changes set forth by the new administration to ensure undocumented students stay protected.

Particularly, by protecting programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals that has allowed undocumented students to pursue an education.

"I don't know what president trump is going to do but her certainly ran on a position that he wants to deport people I think we need to be careful and stand up and do what's right," said Kamenetz.

The county executive not only calling on the governor to do the same, but also announced in a letter that he's instructed police to avoid identifying undocumented students.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffery Gahler responded by inviting the county executive to take part in a program that cracks down on non-law abiding immigrants already in the country to face possible deportation.

Instead on focusing on what he say hasn't been fully addressed by the new incoming administration.

"I'm addressing true public safety in a program that does exist and how here in Harford County we can better address our citizen's needs and national security by removing individuals that are a threat to the community. Harford County specifically, maybe our state maybe our country," said Gahler.

In the meantime students like Senteno have no choice but to wait and see what lies ahead.

"I want to know that I'm supported and protected," she said.

Kamenetz also supports the idea of making college campuses acorss the state safe havens for undocumented students.

In a response to Kamenetz. Congressman Andy Harris said:

"In short, I am concerned that your letter demonstrates a lack of understanding that federal immigration law is the supreme law of the land, and that defiance of it represents a potential dereliction of duty for a sworn elected official or law enforcement officer," wrote Dr. Harris.  "As a steward of the Baltimore County budget, you are surely aware of efforts in Congress (that I fully support) to withhold all federal funding from 'sanctuary' jurisdictions.  Tens of millions of dollars in federal funds flow to Baltimore County, and tens of millions of federal dollars and loan subsidies also flow to the benefit of those educational institutions to which you wrote. Yours is a risky gambit."

President-elect Trump did vow to eliminate DACA on his first day in the White House.

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