GERMANTOWN, Md. — An undocumented immigrant with an active warrant was approved to ride-along with Montgomery County Police. As you might imagine, it caused dissension in the ranks.
On November 13, the resident — who remained nameless via ABC7 — submitted a one-page ride-along application.
“In order to know a little about the responsibilities and dangers of an officer,” the man wrote in response to a question asking why he was interested.
Montgomery County Police performed a background check on the man, which is standard procedure. As a result, they discovered an active warrant for failure to appear for an immigration court date.
“Lt. [this man] is part of Spanish speaking Citz Academy. He (has crim history) is 10-60 FTA for immigration deportation,” read a note that was dated December 8, and attached to the application states.
Despite the warrant, 5th District Commander Mark Plazinski approved the ride-along, which had been scheduled for the morning of Saturday, February 1, ABC7 reported.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) has publicly stated he views immigration warrants as a civil matter and not criminal. Moreover, his political philosophy has opened doors to sanctuary for illegal immigrants.
“This is not the role of the county government, per se, to be involved in doing this,” Elrich opined during an August 27, press conference about the county’s frayed relations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “I’m constrained by what the attorney general has said is Maryland policy.”
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Eleven weeks after signing and submitting his ride-along application, the illegal immigrant canceled Friday, less than 24 hours before his appointed time.
“Somebody called me and told me they were not able,” the undocumented immigrant told ABC7 by telephone Monday afternoon. “I told him, ‘If there’s a problem, no problem. That’s no problem.’ It would have been a good experience, but it’s nothing I have to do.”
