Coronavirus

Prince George’s Council calls for release of immigration detainees

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Prince George’s County Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the suspension of civil immigration enforcement or for Immigration Customs Enforcement to provide “appropriate health services and facilities” to immigration detainees during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The measure was sponsored by District Two County Councilor Deni Taveras. “We have made it a misdemeanor in the state of Maryland to not comply with social distancing, yet we are keeping at least 29 of Prince George’s County residents, from complying,” said Councilor Taveras. “We must consider the health and safety of all Prince Georgians, including those who are in immigration detention.”

At least 29 Prince George’s County residents are in immigration detention. Their ages range from 19 to 62 years old, and have lived in the United States for an average of 16 years. According to County officials, at least nine of the residents detained have pre-existing medical conditions that could make them more susceptible to the novel coronavirus.

A black metal gate bears a three-panel sign reading, top to bottom, "City of Hyattsville." In the background, bright green leaves.
Hyattsville

Responding to Trump, Hyattsville officially open to refugees

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It’s official: Hyattsville welcomes refugees to be resettled in its borders by the federal government. The declaration is a new necessity for cities. That’s because President Donald Trump issued an executive order this past September requiring states and local governments to notify the Department of State they consent to resettle refugees within their borders. 

In November, three local organizations that work with refugees – International Rescue Committee, Ethiopian Community Development Council, and Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital –  wrote to Hyattsville officials requesting they issue a consent letter. 

“The three refugee resettlement agencies requesting your consent have resettled refugees in the City of Hyattsville and the surrounding counties for over 13 years,” reads the letter from the nonprofits. “We have helped refugees successfully access housing, healthcare, education and employment with funding from the federal government. Local municipalities like the City of Hyattsville bear none of the cost of resettlement and reap many benefits.”

The measure to issue the letter passed unanimously.

Adelphi

Pedestrian killed on University Boulevard; Man dies in shooting – Prince George’s News Roundup

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Two people died in Prince George’s County over the weekend. One was a pedestrian struck killed the driver of an SUV in Adelphi. The other was a D.C. resident fatally shot in Camp Springs. Those stories, plus more in today’s Prince George’s News Roundup. WJLA: Pedestrian hit, killed by driver of SUV
Fatal collision occurred at University Boulevard and West Park Drive in Adelphi.