CASA works on many issues of concern to the immigrant community in Maryland, and as a result, CASA has been a source of controversy. Most of the controversy centers around allegations that the day-labor centers administrated by the group are primarily used by undocumented immigrants, who may not legally be employed in any capacity in the US. The site stirred worry in nearby Derwood and other communities. Some residents expressed concerns about the proposal. In a letter to
The Gazette, Brad Botwin announced that he was forming a group called Help Save Maryland because of "growing abuses of official power", specifically the day-labor center near Shady Grove. Botwin characterized the center as "a taxpayer-funded illegal worker pickup center on property slated for job-creating high-tech companies and a needed fire station." Botwin, a member of the Shady Grove Advisory Committee and former co-president of the Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance, was concerned over the center's impact on the sector plan implementation process. He said that the plan required extensive committee meetings and approvals, but Leggett did not use such processes in siting the center. Pat Labuda, president of the Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance and also a member of the Shady Grove Advisory Committee, said "I think it's a problem that what Rockville and Gaithersburg don't want, Derwood gets". Like Botwin, Labuda was concerned about the center's impact on the sector plan. While Labuda supported the need for the facility, she expressed the wish that the county had discussed it with residents before choosing the site.
Rights pamphlet In 2007, in response to local immigration raids, CASA published a pamphlet with basic information about rights such as the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. According to
The Washington Times, the pamphlet, "which features cartoonlike drawings of armed black and white police officers escorting Hispanic men in handcuffs and shows babies crying because their fathers are behind bars, is the product of CASA of Maryland Inc., working with other organizations." CASA director of community organizing and political action Kim Propeack said "We consider providing people with accurate information about their rights fundamentally important to the people we serve, the local community concerned about public safety, and to the national community, which has adopted a bill of rights". Torres later partially retracted this statement, saying that his threat to picket schools attended by Minuteman members' children was a "misunderstanding" made in anger. Steven Schreiman, president of the Maryland Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, said "the threat shows an intent and it shows their mentality, and it shows them for what they are[...] They’re a bunch of thugs and bullies and they have a political agenda and they want to push that agenda regardless of the costs or consequences. Furthermore, they’ve threatened to go after us at our homes and our places of business, which is harassment." Two police associations lobbied against the inclusion, saying that it would hinder cooperation from witnesses and victims of violent crimes who are in the country unlawfully. At a meeting with Latino advocates in late June 2007, County Police Chief
J. Thomas Manger said that while he disagrees with the decision to put immigration detainers in NCIC, he believes police officers have no choice but to serve them. As a result,
The Gazette reported, "the chief said he could not in 'good conscience' order his officers not to serve the warrants if he were told to ignore them by county officials. 'Get a new police chief when that happens,'" said Manger, who later clarified that he had no intent to leave. Manger, who was praised by Propeack for his accessibility, said that the immigration issue "breaks my heart." , Montgomery County police were still checking, and honoring, the NCIC wants-and-warrants notifications, albeit with some reluctance as evidenced in this statement from Chief Manger: "It's very important for the local police department to develop strong relationships with the community[...] That trust is being jeopardized , Maryland did not have a consistent statewide policy on civil detainers. The
Frederick County sheriff's office has deputies with specialized training in searching for undocumented immigrants, while the
Prince George's County Police do not enforce immigration warrants as a matter of county policy.
Takoma Park has a policy of being a "sanctuary city" and does not permit its police department to arrest people based on criminal immigration warrants. CASA later retracted their statement on the war following criticism and issued an apology. In an interview with
Maryland Matters, CASA's executive director Gustavo Torres repeatedly expressed remorse and regret over the statement, but defended the statement by saying that CASA weighing in on the war in Gaza was consistent with its mission of "speaking out for humanity and peace". Critics said the statement contained "antisemitic tropes and sentiments" and was denounced by the
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and several members of the
Montgomery County Council. The
Montgomery County Senate Delegation The lawmakers' statements were condemned by the
ACLU of Maryland, who called the threat of defunding "unconstitutional
viewpoint discrimination".
Lawsuits CASA has launched a variety of
lawsuits. One such
lawsuit was launched in 2005 against the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to improve the administration of drivers licenses for out of country applicants. The lawsuit is ongoing, but is essentially mooted by implementation of the Federal
Real ID Act of 2005. In response to Real ID, the Motor Vehicle Administration considered a two-tiered system, issuing Maryland drivers licenses and then another Real ID–compliant identification that would permit entry into Federal buildings and the boarding of airplanes. Maryland, along with several other states, was given an extension of time to comply with Real ID requirements. Governor
Martin O'Malley rejected the proposal, directing the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to phase in compliance with Real ID . CASA's Kim Propeack said "The administration is prioritizing political pandering over good policymaking" and that the governor "is ignoring all the support he's heard over the years for the system as it exists". In November 2008, CASA filed a Public Information Act lawsuit alleging that the Frederick County Sheriff's Office violated the Constitution and engaged in racial profiling by performing immigration law enforcement functions under
section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. "We're trying to shine a light on this program, which we feel has been kind of operating in the shadows," said Justin Cox, an attorney for CASA. "We have very strong anecdotal evidence of constitutional violations and racial profiling and the ultimate goal is to make sure the Sheriff's Office is being held accountable." ==See also==