Frederick County tackles immigration issue
Originally published September 29, 2007 - Updated 5:25 PM, September 29, 2007


By Meg Bernhardt
News-Post Staff



Frederick County Commissioner Charles Jenkins' wife moved to America from Cambodia when she was 5. She came to escape the killing fields, a massacre known to many Americans only through movies.
His wife came here legally, and he does not want to see taxpayers bear the financial burden of people who did not go through the process. To that end, Jenkins is using his first term to propose a measure that blocks illegal immigrants from receiving county and state benefits.

"I've talked to folks who did come here legally and frankly they're as bothered by this as anybody else," Jenkins said. "They knew what they had to do to get here."

Jenkins didn't enter office in 2006 planning to launch a crusade to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits.

He campaigned on improving roads and reducing traffic congestion, knocking on thousands of doors without hearing a word about immigration. But sitting through his first round of budget hearings in the past eight months, Jenkins was struck by the amount the county spends on interpreter services and other benefits he thinks illegal immigrants are using.

For example, it cost the county roughly $270,000 to hire five new English Language Learners teachers in 2007, Jenkins said.

Since noticing those costs, Jenkins has proposed the commissioners ask the Maryland General Assembly to pass a law allowing Frederick County to deny services to those who can't prove legal status.

He's been called a bigot and a racist by some and been applauded by others. His proposal has attracted nationwide attention, and Jenkins is now gearing up for a public hearing on all of the commissioners' proposals for their 2008 legislative package.

He wants his to be among them, though he acknowledges it's unlikely to pass the state legislature without serious pressure from Marylanders.

He faces opposition at the hearing, however. Several residents and Latino leaders plan to attend to listen and urge caution, and Commissioners President Jan Gardner vehemently opposes the idea.

Gardner thinks it is ineffective and expensive for local governments to tackle the issue of immigration, typically handled at the federal level.

"Everything Charles has proposed so far is illegal and it's a violation of the Constitution and his oath of office," Gardner said.

Jenkins thinks, however, local governments' hands are only tied if they let them be tied.

"I'm trying to protect our taxpayers in this county, because at the federal level there has been a failure and we are having to pay the price financially," Jenkins said.

No one knows the exact cost of services to illegal immigrants in Frederick County. The school system and other public services do not require proof of citizenship. In fact, Frederick County Public Schools is prohibited from asking by the state Board of Education, said spokeswoman Marita Loose.

Jenkins thinks there is a large cost, however, because of the rising demand for English Language Learners teachers. Between 2001 and 2007, the number of ELL students has increased by about 1,400, to 1,600 total.

"Do I know all those 1,400 are not here legally? Yeah, you bet I know that," Jenkins said. "Do I know how many of them? No, because again, schools are safe harbors, we don't ask that question."

He said the number of ELL students could fill a $40 million middle school.


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