The City of Gaithersburg released a statement (available in full below) Wednesday night addressing community concerns following the presence of federal immigration agents at Bohrer Park last month.
The statement comes after a “Rally for Accountability” was held on Friday, Aug. 7, calling on the City to take additional action following an incident at Bohrer Park on July 28.
According to organizers of the rally, multiple federal immigration agents and vehicles were present in the parking lot near the Activity Center that morning while parents were dropping children off at summer camp. Organizers said two community members were being transferred in the parking lot, including a Gaithersburg mother of three.
The rally called on the City to speak up for immigrant families, improve communication during immigration enforcement incidents, establish clearer protocols, adopt countywide immigration policies at the City level, and take additional steps to rebuild trust within the community.
On Wednesday night, the City acknowledged the concerns and said it understands the fear and frustration expressed by residents. “We know that these have been incredibly difficult times for our community, especially the past few weeks since the incident at Bohrer Park on July 28 when federal immigration agents were present in the parking lot near the Activity Center,” the City stated. “We understand the fear and frustration. We can also understand how residents may have felt that their concerns have not been heard. We hear you, and we are listening.”
The City emphasized that Gaithersburg does not enforce federal civil immigration law and said protocols and training are in place for City employees in the event immigration enforcement agents appear on City property. According to the City, those protocols were properly followed during the July 28 incident.
Gaithersburg also pointed residents to immigration enforcement resources available through the City and said it will continue working with Montgomery County and nonprofit organizations to support people impacted by immigration enforcement actions.“We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in Gaithersburg,” the statement continued. “Our residents — and visitors — deserve that.”
The City said it is reviewing its protocols following the incident and evaluating what additional steps can be taken within the limits of its authority when interacting with federal immigration enforcement. The full statement can be seen below:
We know that these have been incredibly difficult times for our community, especially the past few weeks since the incident at Bohrer Park on July 28 when federal immigration agents were present in the parking lot near the Activity Center. We understand the fear and frustration. We can also understand how residents may have felt that their concerns have not been heard. We hear you, and we are listening.
It’s important to note that we do not enforce federal civil immigration law, and we have protocols and training in place for staff should immigration enforcement agents show up at City properties. Those protocols were properly followed on July 28th. We also have immigration enforcement resources available on our website for those who are impacted by immigration enforcement actions and we will continue to work with our County and nonprofit partners to support our community.
We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in Gaithersburg. Our residents — and visitors— deserve that.
As with any incident, we are reviewing our protocols and making sure we continue to do everything we can to make the most of the limited tools we have when interacting with federal immigration enforcement.
