Bill 3-26 and Bill 5-26

A 17-year-old whose father was detained and ordered deported by masked ICE agents asked the Council to pass both bills so other families are spared.

A Peruvian immigrant of 23 years urged the Councilmembers who had not co-sponsored the bills to act, citing families in crisis in their districts.

Executive director of the Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative described falling program attendance driven by fear of ICE and urged passage of both bills.

A Wheaton resident and immigrant-rights volunteer described witnessing ICE abductions and urged the Council, including Councilmember Friedson, to act quickly.

Asked the room for ten seconds of silence to imagine the screams of families being torn apart if the bills fail, and urged passage as a precedent for other counties.

A Silver Spring resident and Episcopal church member cited county diversity and called on the Council to adopt both bills.

A first-generation college student with MoCo IRC said the bills are about due process and accountability, closing with a direct challenge to the Council President.

CASA's HHS director described a mother afraid to apply for benefits after her husband's deportation and urged passage of both bills.

A Rockville minister described children and teachers traumatized by ICE activity near schools and urged passage.

Speaking for two Democratic clubs and as a Gaithersburg native, she urged swift passage of both bills and quick scheduling of the Unmask ICE Act.

A Rockville resident compared ICE conduct to historical abuses and urged passage without weakening amendments.

A Gaithersburg resident since 1973 thanked the bill sponsors and urged passage of both measures.

A high school student and Students FAIR member delivered an impassioned call to protect immigrant children and families.

A Kennedy High School senior described everyday fear among immigrant families, from grocery shopping to school pickup.

Shared her family's story — an uncle detained and deported, another who self-deported, another who died unable to access care — and urged passage.

A seventh grader and daughter of immigrants asked the Council to pass the bills so children can grow up without fear.