Montgomery County Fast-Tracks ‘Trust Act’ as Residents Question Costs, Priorities, and Process

By MDBayNews Staff

Montgomery County is racing to pass Expedited Bill 35-25, branded by its sponsors as the Promoting Community Trust – Immigrant Protections Act. Supporters frame it as a humane shield against federal immigration enforcement. Critics see something else entirely: a fast-tracked policy shift that expands taxpayer-funded services for undocumented immigrants with minimal public scrutiny—at a time when county residents are already stretched thin.

The bill is being pushed through the Council’s expedited process, virtually guaranteeing swift passage and limited debate. All 11 councilmembers are sponsors, led by Council President Natali Fani-González, with backing from County Executive Marc Elrich. In a county dominated by one-party rule, opposition inside the building is almost nonexistent—leaving voters outside to ask the hard questions.

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What Bill 35-25 Actually Does

At its core, Bill 35-25 codifies and expands a 2019 executive order that already limited county cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. The new law would make those limits permanent—and broader.

Key provisions include:

• Restricting county agencies from cooperating with federal civil immigration enforcement, including ICE, absent a judicial warrant or criminal purpose
• Prohibiting county employees from asking about immigration status unless explicitly required by law
• Declaring “sensitive locations” such as schools, libraries, courthouses, and county health facilities off-limits for immigration enforcement cooperation
• Requiring county reporting on immigration-related requests—but only internally, to the Council
• Barring future enforcement cooperation agreements with ICE

Supporters argue this builds trust and improves public safety. Critics counter that it redefines the county’s role, placing local government squarely in opposition to federal enforcement priorities—while committing local resources to the consequences.

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PLEASE POST THIS: What Undocumented Residents Would Access With Taxpayer Funding

Beyond enforcement limits, the bill explicitly codifies access to general county resources without regard to immigration status. That includes services funded by Montgomery County taxpayers:

• Public education: Access to public schools without inquiries or restrictions based on immigration status
• Library services: Use of public libraries, including borrowing materials and programs
• Healthcare services: Access to government-operated healthcare facilities, clinics, and public health programs
• Housing assistance: County-provided support such as emergency shelter and affordability programs
• Court and legal access: Use of courthouses and justice services without status-based barriers
• Social services: General welfare and community assistance programs where applicable
• Recreational and community programs: Participation in county-run parks, recreation centers, and events

OUR TAXES PAYING FOR THIS — vote them out!

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Expedited Process, Minimal Scrutiny

The bill was introduced in December 2025, received a public hearing in mid-January, cleared joint committees unanimously on January 28, and is now poised for final passage—potentially as early as next week.

That speed is the point.

Under the “expedited” designation, the Council can move legislation rapidly, often with limited amendments, truncated debate, and little opportunity for residents to digest the fiscal or policy impact. While advocacy groups such as CASA turned out in force to support the bill, there has been no comparable effort to solicit dissenting testimony or conduct a countywide cost-benefit discussion.

For a bill that reshapes law enforcement policy, social services eligibility, and intergovernmental relations, critics say the process feels less like consensus—and more like a rubber stamp.

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Who Decides, Who Pays

Montgomery County officials emphasize that nearly 45 percent of county residents are foreign-born, using that statistic to justify broad protections. What they do not emphasize is the open-ended financial exposure created by formalizing service access regardless of status—especially as housing costs, school overcrowding, healthcare capacity, and tax burdens already dominate local concerns.

Nor do they address a core democratic issue: Should a county government be allowed to fast-track a policy of this magnitude without meaningful opposition, debate, or voter input?

In Montgomery County, where Democrats hold every council seat and the executive office, that question is becoming harder to ignore.

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The Bigger Picture

Bill 35-25 is not just about immigration. It is about process, priorities, and accountability in a one-party jurisdiction. Whether residents support or oppose the policy itself, the precedent is clear: when leadership agrees internally, speed replaces scrutiny.

Voters are left with one remaining check.

Election Day.

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