Editor's Note: This letter to The Intersection is from Calvert County Parents For Practical Solutions, but various organizations in the county signed it. The Intersection is an independent news organization that does not receive funds from Calvert County Parents For Practical Solutions or any other affiliate organizations.

Dear County Commissioners, Sheriff’s Office, and Delegates of Calvert County,

On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the new presidential administration announced it would reverse previous guidelines and now allow federal immigration agencies to carry out enforcement at places like churches and schools. This decision is deeply troubling and has created fear and uncertainty for many of our immigrant neighbors.

As parents and community members, we stand with our immigrant families. Schools, churches, and other trusted places should be safe for everyone, not places of fear. While we work to understand what this change means, we want to be clear: our neighbors deserve to feel safe and supported.

We call on you to take a stand in protecting the dignity and safety of all families in our community. We urge you to publicly reaffirm that our local schools, places of worship, and other trusted institutions remain spaces of safety and inclusion. We also encourage you to support policies that uphold the rights of our immigrant neighbors and ensure they are not subjected to unnecessary harm and fear.

If you or someone you know is impacted or would like to take action, please reach out to CASA, an organization dedicated to defending immigrant rights and building stronger communities. Learn more and get involved at wearecasa.org, their ICE Raid tip line number is: 1-888-214-6016. Tell your legislators to Pass the Maryland Immigrant Justice Protection Package here!

Thank you for your time and leadership on this urgent issue. We hope to see your commitment to ensuring that all members of our community feel safe, valued, and supported.

Sincerely,

Calvert County Parents for Practical Solutions

PRISM (Peaceful Resistance in Southern Maryland)

Young Democrats of Calvert County

FTP (Feed the People, Free the People)

Calvert County Democratic Women’s Club

Calvert County Democratic Party

Middleham & St Peter's Parish, Episcopal Church, Lusby

The Calvert County Peace Project

CEA (Calvert Education Associations) Executive Board

Patuxent Friends Meeting

The Southern Maryland Democratic Socialists of America