Most Maryland residents know about DACA, a legal process for undocumented residents brought to the US as children for a path to citizenship. It was passed by Executive Order when the DREAM Act once again failed to pass, leaving undocumented young adults in limbo.

What many Marylanders may not know or remember is in 2012 Maryland voters passed the Maryland DREAM Act, legislation by a ballot referendum which provided undocumented students in-state tuition so long as they met certain criteria. It passed by a margin of 18 which made me proud to be a Marylander. In 2017, with a change in the guidelines for immigration enforcement and a concerted effort to vilify immigrant communities, this same law made our students, our Maryland children vulnerable.

Diversity is one of our greatest national resources. Immigration is synonymous with the American Dream, and our neighborhoods are safer when our citizens feel safe, working hand in hand with law enforcement to report crime. As your Delegate, I will work to ensure our immigrant communities are not profiled, families are not destroyed, and that our local law enforcement are not subject to the undo burden of acting as Federal Immigration Enforcement.