Montgomery County council president promotes free citizenship clinics and highlights new Values/Trust Act protections
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On a Spanish-language radio special, the host Marcela Rodríguez and Council President Natalie (District 6) announced a free citizenship clinic on April 11 at the Wheaton Library, where volunteer immigration attorneys will offer free case reviews and, when eligible, represent applicants at no cost. "No, nosotros queremos hacerlo más flexible posible. Solamente tiene que llegar a la biblioteca a las 2 de la tarde, el 11 de abril, no tiene que registrarse," Council President Natalie said on air.
The announcement came as Natalie and the host outlined the county's newly adopted local protections for immigrants, described on the program as a Trust Act or Values Act. Natalie said the measure — adopted by the county legislative branch and supported by the police chief — bars local police from acting as immigration agents and restricts immigration agents' entry to public buildings without a judicial order. "La ley va a estar en vigor en 90 días," she said, adding the county is already creating a web portal and signage required by an amendment from Councilmember Katz to record incidents when county staff encounter immigration agents.
Why it matters: The clinic aims to reduce errors in naturalization applications by providing licensed immigration lawyers to screen cases and offer free assistance. The local Trust/Values Act, Natalie said, is intended to reassure immigrant residents that county facilities — schools, libraries and other "sensitive" sites — are protected from immigration enforcement absent a judge-signed order.
Details and context: Council President Natalie said lawyers at the clinic will assess whether individuals qualify for naturalization or other benefits and will take qualifying cases pro bono. The host and guest emphasized the importance of using licensed attorneys and avoiding fraudulent practitioners who may charge large upfront fees. The county also plans staff training on the new policy and signage in public facilities to explain restricted areas and the requirement for judicial orders.
Next steps: The clinic is scheduled for April 11 at 2 p.m. at the Wheaton Library. Listeners were told to check county social platforms for updates on the portal and signage; county staff said the law takes effect in 90 days.
The announcement came as Natalie and the host outlined the county's newly adopted local protections for immigrants, described on the program as a Trust Act or Values Act. Natalie said the measure — adopted by the county legislative branch and supported by the police chief — bars local police from acting as immigration agents and restricts immigration agents' entry to public buildings without a judicial order. "La ley va a estar en vigor en 90 días," she said, adding the county is already creating a web portal and signage required by an amendment from Councilmember Katz to record incidents when county staff encounter immigration agents.
Why it matters: The clinic aims to reduce errors in naturalization applications by providing licensed immigration lawyers to screen cases and offer free assistance. The local Trust/Values Act, Natalie said, is intended to reassure immigrant residents that county facilities — schools, libraries and other "sensitive" sites — are protected from immigration enforcement absent a judge-signed order.
Details and context: Council President Natalie said lawyers at the clinic will assess whether individuals qualify for naturalization or other benefits and will take qualifying cases pro bono. The host and guest emphasized the importance of using licensed attorneys and avoiding fraudulent practitioners who may charge large upfront fees. The county also plans staff training on the new policy and signage in public facilities to explain restricted areas and the requirement for judicial orders.
Next steps: The clinic is scheduled for April 11 at 2 p.m. at the Wheaton Library. Listeners were told to check county social platforms for updates on the portal and signage; county staff said the law takes effect in 90 days.
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