Immigration Updates To Be Found In Montgomery County FAQ Guide

SILVER SPRING, MD — Montgomery County's Office of Community Partnerships have received an increase in questions from residents regarding immigration concerns. To address all of these inquiries, OCP Director Bruce Adams launched a new immigration FAQ guide for residents.

"Our nonprofit partners serving Montgomery’s immigrant communities are getting lots of questions from worried residents, and they have been asking us for help," OCP said in a statement.

Cindy Kim of the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center prepared a Community Guide to begin to answer questions and provide basic Know Your Rights information in December 2016.

Earlier this month, OCP liaisons Diane Vu and Nestor Alvarenga held a meeting of stakeholders designed to provide guidance and make sure they're hearing all the important questions from residents.

On February 27, 2017, HHS Director Uma Ahluwalia held a providers meeting to help develop a community preparedness response toolkit.

In response, Vu updated the Gilchrist Center’s December guide into a new document called “Immigration Information & Resources for Providers: Frequently Asked Questions.

“It is really important that families know their rights, make contingency plans, and update emergency contact information on file at Montgomery County Public Schools,” Adams said in a statement. “Our guide will help point the way to needed resources.”

The guide covers a variety of topics, including:

• What do the federal executive actions mean for me?
• What are my rights if a federal ICE agent attempts to arrest me?
• Do I need to make a plan in case I am detained?
• What phone numbers should I keep handy?
• Where do I go for trusted and reliable legal advice?
• Do officers of the Montgomery County Police Department cooperate with ICE agents?
• Should I stop using public services to minimize my risk?
• What should I tell my kids about their school?
• How can I report hate crimes?

OCP will continue to update the guide when they receive more information on the topic.

They're reminding residents that this guide is not a substitute for legal advice, and residents should speak with a reputable attorney or accredited representative for legal advice.

Residents can see the complete guide here.

Photo: OCP Staff