Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González has introduced the “Trust Act” (Expedited Bill 35-25), a landmark legislative move to permanently limit local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. The bill, announced December 4 with unanimous council support, codifies existing executive orders into binding law. For a county where 45% of residents are foreign-born, this is more than a social statement—it is a strategic firewall designed to ensure community stability and public safety cooperation as the Trump administration prepares to ramp up deportation efforts in 2026. By prohibiting the use of county resources for civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant, the legislation aims to preserve trust between immigrant communities and local government.
Why it matters: The Trust Act transforms County Executive Marc Elrich’s 2019 Executive Order 135-19 from a temporary directive into permanent county code. This legal fortification ensures that future administrations cannot easily reverse these protections. For local businesses and the regional economy, the act provides a critical layer of workforce stability in a jurisdiction heavily reliant on immigrant labor.
The details: The legislation establishes a “bright line” between local services and federal enforcement:
- Resource firewall: County employees, equipment, and facilities cannot be used for federal civil immigration enforcement or investigations unless required by state or federal law.
- Protection against intimidation: The bill explicitly prohibits threats or discrimination based on perceived immigration status, ensuring access to county services remains open to all residents.
- Public safety carve-out: Crucially, the legislation maintains the police department’s ability to cooperate with federal authorities on serious violent crimes, a distinction emphasized by Police Chief Marc Yamada.
What they’re saying: “As an immigrant who came to this country as a teenager and faced the threat of deportation, I know firsthand the fear many families live with,” said Council President Fani-González. “This legislation helps build that trust. We dedicate our local resources to crime prevention, crime solving, and constitutional policing.”
What’s next: The bill was formally introduced on December 9 and is scheduled for a public hearing in January 2026. Given the unanimous sponsorship by the Council and backing from the County Executive, passage is all but guaranteed. Business leaders and civic organizations should anticipate the law taking effect early next year, establishing Montgomery County as a hardened “sanctuary” jurisdiction just as federal enforcement intensifies.