Council debate centers on broader hiring ban aimed at restoring trust; staff urge narrow, implementable approach

Council member Mink presented expedited Bill 29-26 as a broader measure to protect community trust across county public‑facing departments. She said the bill would bar hiring of "restricted applicants" defined in the draft as individuals employed by ICE or CBP on or after 10/01/2025 or those assigned or contracted by the U.S. government to support immigration enforcement. "The purposes of the bill are really integral to the provisions," staff said, that the aim is to stabilize and grow community trust so residents can safely access county services.

Several members voiced concerns that the bill’s reach could be overly broad and risk excluding whistleblowers or staff who served in non‑enforcement roles. "We're saying you're not welcome to work for Montgomery County," one member warned, noting the moral and practical complexities for people who may have taken federal employment to help others. Council member Glantz and others urged narrowing the measure to be tailored to law‑enforcement roles rather than a broad categorical ban on contractors.

Human Resources staff recommended changes to reduce administrative and fiscal burden: shift identification of sensitive positions to hiring departments, use self‑attestation (a yes/no checkbox) to determine restricted status rather than immediate verification from federal agencies, and prepare personnel regulation amendments to implement any legal changes. HR warned that the county needs time to amend personnel rules and that some implementation steps could be done administratively if the council chooses.

Members did not vote. The committee agreed to return on Oct. 19, and chairs asked the county executive’s office to forward suggested amendments and implementation options to staff before then.