Maryland Senate President Warns State Sanctuary Bill Won’t Pass As Is

John Matthews
WMAL.com

ANNAPOLIS — (WMAL/AP) – Maryland’s Senate president says a bill that adds protections for people in the United States illegally won’t pass the Senate in its current form.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said Wednesday that the state needs to allow immigrants “to live in freedom,” but not protect felons who are in the United States illegally and end up in the judicial system.

The Maryland TRUST act, which passed the House last week would prevent authorities from stopping people solely to ask about their immigration status. It now also would block jails from holding an immigrant for up to 48 hours beyond when they would be released at the request of federal immigration officers.

Miller’s comments come two days after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions urged the state not to pass the bill.

Timing may also be playing a critical role in the status of the legislation. The Senate was just starting to consider the bill when reports emerged of the alleged rape at Rockville High School involving two illegal immigrant students. Todd Eberly, a Political Science professor at St. Mary’ s College, told WMAL last week it would be difficult for lawmakers to pass sanctuary legislation in the current climate.

“It’s likely what happened in Montgomery County will change the calculus,” said Eberly. “In politics, perception has this way of becoming reality.”

The Associated Press contributed content to this report.