Leopold, a Republican who took office in 2006, denied $115,000 in grants to a non-profit group that offers services Latinos, and later issued an executive order requiring government contractors to sign affidavits swearing that they do not employ people living in the country illegally. He also directed Anne Arundel's jails to quickly refer arrested immigrants to federal authorities.
Yesterday, advocates accused Leopold of "celebrating the division of families."
"We thought that in Maryland that we had a more progressive state, but in Anne Arundel County the county executive is doing something that is unbelievable," Torres said.
FOR THE RECORD - An article in the July 1 Maryland section about an immigration raid on an Annapolis painting company incorrectly reported the date of a congressional measure that criminalized the hiring of illegal immigrants. The reform took effect in 1986.
THE SUN REGRETS THE ERROR
Robert Wade, the owner of a cleaning company called American Healthy Homes, said that his legal workers were unlikely to show up for work today because they feared that they would be stopped and arrested because they are Latino.
"I'm trying to explain to them, you're legal, you've done everything you could to be legal and get the proper documentation," Wade said. "But the word is going around that they're going to get pulled over and locked up just because they're Hispanic."
Neighbors in the Carrs Manor community near Annapolis said two men were taken from a home there yesterday. The neighbors, who did not want to give their names because of the sensitivity of the situation, said the men had recently sent their families back to Mexico and either had proper documentation or were in the process of receiving it. They said the men spoke English and paid taxes.
"They worked hard, and for a lot less than others," said one man. "They were working to get things corrected. It just didn't come fast enough."
Two miles away, in the Hillsmere Shores community, four immigrants who did not speak English showed reporters damage that they said was caused during a raid there in which one man was arrested. Inside the home, a sparsely furnished, middle-class dwelling, a door frame had been splintered and paperwork was strewn about a room.
A woman, who said she was five months pregnant, said she had been handcuffed and shoved as her boyfriend was arrested. His family said he had a work permit that had recently expired.
A cousin, who would only give his first name of Nelsar, said he believes immigration agents are looking for him as well even though he says he has proper documentation.
"I don't know why they accept this application, they take your money, and then come looking for you," he said, clutching a certificate that says he is permitted to work in the United States. Surveying a hole in a bedroom door, he said, "This is completely wrong."
justin.fenton@baltsun.com
kelly.brewington@baltsun.com
