Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Natali Fani-González have announced the launch of a new County website that includes a reporting portal where residents can share information about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the community.
County officials said the portal is designed to help the County track ICE-related activity and identify areas where residents may need support. They emphasized that the reporting tool is for information gathering only and is not intended to request emergency assistance or receive an individual response.
“This reporting portal will help us better understand what is happening in our community, identify areas where residents may need support, and respond with accurate information and resources,” Elrich said. “Every resident deserves to feel safe, and we remain committed to protecting the trust that is essential to keeping our communities strong.”
The reporting portal is one of the tools required under two measures approved earlier this year by the County Council and signed into law by Elrich: the Unmask ICE Act (Bill 5-26) and the County Values Act (Bill 3-26).
According to the County, about one in three Montgomery County residents was born outside the United States, more than twice the national average. Nearly half of residents speak a language other than English at home, and Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College have identified more than 150 languages spoken by students and families.
Fani-González said the reporting portal was created through legislation approved by the Council and thanked Councilmember Sidney Katz for sponsoring the amendment that established the reporting resource.
Under the Unmask ICE Act, law enforcement officers operating in Montgomery County are prohibited from wearing masks or facial coverings while on duty except in limited health and safety situations. The law also requires officers to display and, upon request, verbally provide their agency, name, and badge number. Reports submitted about masked ICE agents will be reviewed by the Office of the County Attorney to determine whether there is sufficient information to pursue a citation.
The County Values Act establishes procedures for how County departments respond when federal immigration enforcement officers are present at County facilities and parking lots. Reports of ICE activity in County parking lots and garages will be shared with the County’s Department of Transportation and the Montgomery County Department of Police to analyze enforcement patterns and staging locations.
The new website also includes information about immigration protections and available community resources, including family preparedness guides, Know Your Rights information, legal assistance, and connections to food, housing, healthcare, and other support services through the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center.
