immigration

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - Maryland Gov.-elect Larry Hogan is celebrating the re-election of a county sheriff known for his tough approach to undocumented immigration and drug trafficking.

Hogan is scheduled to speak Friday at the swearing-in ceremony in Frederick for Frederick County sheriff and fellow Republican Chuck Jenkins.

Jenkins has embraced federal programs allowing local police to enforce immigration laws.

Senator Ben Cardin says that President’s decision to temporarily allow some 5 million undocumented immigrants to stay in this country is a sign that the congress should act.

The Maryland Democrat  noted that the Senate voted 18 months ago for a comprehensive immigration bill on a vote of 68-to-32 and that the House of Representatives has failed to act.

Meanwhile, Senator Tom Carper also blasted the House for failing to approve legislation and that the president was justified in being frustrated with Congress in failing to deal with immigration reform.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Many of the child migrants placed with Delaware families are living in Sussex County.

That's according to new figures released this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that 114 minors apprehended by immigration authorities without a parent or guardian since January have been placed with sponsors in Delaware's southernmost county while they await immigration hearings and potential deportation.

This past weekend marked the 20th anniversary of Festival Hispano in Millsboro. And, many will see the influx of the undocumented children now coming from Central America and settling in Delaware. Delmarva Public Radio's Don Rush explored the challenges facing these children.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland officials are scheduled to discuss steps the state is taking to support the federal government's efforts to help unaccompanied children from Central America.

Ted Dallas, the secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources, is scheduled to hold a teleconference call on Tuesday with Anne Sheridan, who is director of the Governor's Office for Children.

State officials have been meeting with clergy around the state in recent weeks to discuss ways of helping children who have been crossing the border to escape violence in Central America.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration is working to find temporary shelter in Maryland to help immigrant children who have been crossing the border from Central America without due process.

The Maryland Department of Human Services issued a statement of need on Monday to locate licensed providers who could care for unaccompanied children. It will be published on July 25 in the Maryland Register. That's an official state government publication that is issued every two weeks to temporarily supplement the state's code of regulations.

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - A Maryland sheriff known for his tough stance on illegal immigration says he's visiting the U.S-Mexico border to get a firsthand look at the influx of unaccompanied children entering the United States.

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) - The federal government has decided not to use a vacant Army Reserve building in Westminster to temporarily house immigrant children after objections from Carroll County officials.

A spokesman for Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris tells WBAL Radio that the congressman was notified late Saturday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decided not to use the Westminster facility.

Some estimates put the number of undocumented children coming across the US/Mexico border at 50,000  with more expected. Most are from Central America and are seeking refuge not only in the United States but also in countries such as Mexico and Costa Rica. Matthew Peters is the director of the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center in Easton and spent around a decade in Guatemala. Delmarva Public Radio's Don Rush spoke with him about why they come. (The full interview will be aired on Delmarva Today at 9 a.m. on July4th.)

BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland's governor says a state jail in Baltimore will no longer automatically comply with federal requests to hold immigrants past their release date for possible deportation.

Gov. Martin O'Malley says the Baltimore City Detention Center will now consider the severity of the charges a person is facing when reviewing U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement requests to hold immigrants through the "Secure Communities" program. O'Malley notified Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson of the change in a letter released last week.

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to hear a Frederick County immigration enforcement dispute.

The high court said Monday it won't hear the county's appeal of a ruling last August by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The dispute now goes back to U.S. District Court in Baltimore for further proceedings.

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union says a state senator is seeking to limit local police involvement in immigration enforcement.

The ACLU says Democrat Victor Ramirez of Prince George's County is announcing the legislation Tuesday in Hyattsville. A Ramirez staff member said Monday that details of the bill were still being ironed out.

The ACLU says the Maryland Trust Act will restore community trust in local law enforcement.

On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Hispanic immigrant population has dramatic risen -- sometimes doubling and tripling over the last decade. In part 2 of a 3 part series Delmarva Public Radio's Don Rush looks at how these new immigrants are adjusting to their new environment.

The end of June saw big votes on Capitol Hill and big decisions by the United States Supreme  Court. Delmarva Public Radio's Don  Rush caught up with Eastern Shore Congressman Andy Harris (R-First District)  on his reaction to these events.