Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz on Monday said he would support the efforts of the five colleges located in Baltimore County to protect the status of students who first arrived in this country as undocumented children.

In a letter sent to the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland as well as the presidents of the Community College of Baltimore County, Goucher College, Stevenson University, Towson University, and UMBC, Kamenetz indicated that Baltimore County police would not participate in any efforts to identify otherwise law-abiding students and subject them to deportation by federal authorities.

“These students were children when they arrived in this country,” said Kamenetz. “They were raised here and have no identification with their native country. They should be allowed to continue with their education and pursue a path to citizenship, without police harassment.”

Kamenetz also called on Governor Larry Hogan to extend similar protection to students in all of Maryland’s college campuses. “It is unconscionable that students on our college campuses would have to live in fear that they may deported at any moment,” said Kamenetz. “Governor Hogan needs to do more than tell Marylanders to take a deep breath.”

The text of the County Executive’s letter is below:

Dear Dr. Bowen, Dr. Caret, Dr. Hrabowski, Dr. Kurtinitis, Dr. Manning, and Dr. Schatzel,

As the County Executive of a county that is home to five colleges and universities, I strongly support your efforts to protect undocumented students from deportation in the wake of the recent presidential election.

It is imperative that our nation’s leaders protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program instituted by President Obama in 2012, allowing students to pursue their education without fear.I am urging members of Maryland’s congressional delegation and our State leaders to oppose any effort by incoming President Trump to rescind the DACA program. I have also advised Chief Johnson that the Baltimore County Police Department should not participate in any effort to identify otherwise law-abiding students from our college campuses that would subject them to deportation by federal authorities. This letter is also copied to Governor Hogan seeking his support in this effort as well.

Thank you for taking all necessary steps to make your students feel safe and secure.

Very truly yours,

Kevin Kamenetz

Baltimore County Executive

C: Honorable Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr.

Honorable Barbara Mikulski

Honorable Ben Cardin

Honorable Andy Harris

Honorable Dutch Ruppersberger

Honorable John Sarbanes

Honorable Donna Edwards

Honorable Steny Hoyer

Honorable John Delaney

Honorable Elijah Cummings

Honorable Chris Van Hollen

Honorable Mike Miller

Honorable Mike Busch