As immigration enforcement becomes stricter at the federal level, Hood College has investigated the impact on students and staff on campus.
During a meeting organized by the Latinx Student Union on Feb. 16, Dan Blum, chair of Centro Hispano de Frederick, explained the different levels of government involvement in immigration and deportation laws. Currently, local law enforcement is prohibited from participating in deportations at the county level, and city and county officers cannot question individuals about their immigration status.
Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando emphasized that the Frederick Police Department does not engage in immigration enforcement. “FPD has never participated in immigration enforcement, so nothing’s changed,” Lando stated during a Q&A session alongside Campus Safety Director Thurmond Maynard.
Maynard addressed Hood College’s stance on immigration enforcement, explaining that because the college is on private property, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot enter any building on campus without a valid warrant signed by a judge. If Campus Safety is presented with such a warrant from ICE, they cannot prevent ICE from entering.
“We’re not here to stop them, but we also have to make sure we follow our process as well,” Maynard said.
If an ICE officer enters a building, it is crucial that no one interfere with their duties, Lando said. “There is a separate charge for interfering in the duties of a law enforcement officer,” Lando added.
Interference includes actions like locking ICE officers out of classrooms, provided they have the proper credentials and a warrant.
Both students and staff at Hood College are advised to notify Campus Safety immediately if they encounter ICE on campus.
Hood College is currently in the process of developing an immigration enforcement policy that will outline the institution’s obligations regarding any federal immigration enforcement activities that may occur on campus.
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