Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center’s New Website Will Help Residents More Easily Find Information About Government and Nonprofit Programs

The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center has a new website that will help Montgomery County residents more easily find assistance about available government and nonprofit programs.

The site is easy to use and can be quickly translated into many languages. The site can be found at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist.

The new site is organized by categories including food resources, housing, job readiness and assistance with issues relating to legal, health and crisis services. The site has a category dedicated to programs for seniors and for youth.

The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, which has operations in Gaithersburg, Wheaton and in the East County, helps residents find the right door to services that can improve their lives and their ability to contribute to the economy and to civic life

For more information about services, contact the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center at 240-777-4940 or via email gilchristcenter@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Statement by County Executive Ike Leggett on Presidential Decision to Phase Out DACA Program

“I am disappointed by President Trump’s decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. These young people are in the United States in an undocumented status through no fault of their own – and they deserve better. I urge the President to work with both parties in the House and Senate to craft as soon as possible a common-sense program to protect these young men and women.”

See the full statement.

Montgomery County Reaffirms Commitment to Community, Diversity and Inclusion and Tout Immigration Resources

In a joint statement released on January 30, County Executive Ike Leggett and County Council members reaffirmed their commitment to continue to speak-up on behalf of all residents to promote our County’s values of acceptance and inclusion for everyone. The statement addressed community concerns about safety, discrimination, legal status and harassment.

In a February 8 news conference, which discussed the County’s response to recent federal immigration initiatives, Leggett reconfirmed that Montgomery County will continue to ensure that everyone in Montgomery County feels safe and has the support they need to thrive in an inclusive community. The County Executive highlighted County publications that list resources available for County residents.

• Montgomery County Legal Immigration Service Providers Directory (English)
• Community Guide for Immigrant Residents in Montgomery County, MD (English | Español)
• Joint Statement of County Executive and County Council Reaffirming Community Values (English | Español).

Takoma Park to Hold Community Teach-In On its Sanctuary City Status and Commitment

The City of Takoma Park and several community organizations will host a public forum, Takoma Park: Sanctuary City — Then & Now on Saturday, February 4 at 3 p.m. The program will explore the City’s 30-year-old Sanctuary ordinance and its amendments, and will underscore the City’s ongoing commitment to protect its immigrant residents under the letter and spirit of the law. Takoma Park is one of 300+ sanctuary jurisdictions throughout the nation.

Sanctuary City Flyer by Public Information Office on Scribd

For more information:

• Press release
• Sanctuary City Flyer
• Sanctuary Cities and Community Policing
• Takoma Park Sanctuary City Ordinance Ch 9.04

Community Guide for Immigrant Residents of Montgomery County Available Now

The Gilchrist Center has created a community guide that provides resources to help immigrants understand their rights. Included in the Guide are links to fact sheets and contact information for useful local and national resources. The Guide is available online.

Leggett Joins Other Municipal Leaders from Across the Country to Emphasis the Importance of Immigration Program to the President-elect

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett joined 18 municipal government officials from across the US urging President-elect Donald Trump to continue a program that protects children of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel sent the letter on Dec. 7 to ask Trump to continue to accept and consider applications under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) until Congress modernizes U.S. immigration policy.

Joining Leggett in signing the letter included: Mayor Megan Barry of Nashville, TN; Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City, NY; Mayor Jorge Elorza of Providence, RI; Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, CA; Mayor Michael B. Hancock of Denver, CO; Mayor Betsy Hodges of Minneapolis, MN; Mayor Jim Kenney of Philadelphia, PA; Mayor Ed Lee of San Francisco, CA; Mayor Sam Liccardo of San Jose, CA; Mayor Ed Murray of Seattle, WA; Former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake of Baltimore, MD; Mayor Francis Slay of St. Louis, M0; Mayor Greg Stanton of Phoenix, AZ; Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, TX; and Mayor Marty Walsh of Boston, MA.

The DACA program helps ensure that qualified undocumented youth can seek higher education, work and engage in military service without fear of deportation. Youth who were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; came to the U.S. before reaching their 16th birthday; have lived in the US continuously for five years; and are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; who have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor, or more than three misdemeanors of any kind; and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety; may apply through the program for temporary deferred action and work authorization.

• To review the letter (pdf). 
• More information on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

The Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity Celebrates 15th Anniversary with New Name and Release of Anniversary Report

The Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity has changed its name to the Charles W. Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center. The name change will better reflect what the Center has become in the past 15 years. The Center welcomes immigrants and connects them to programs and services. It helps to strengthen their life skills through English and basic computer classes, and increase their knowledge to prepare for civic life and/or U.S. citizenship. The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center serves as a community where residents can contribute their talents to help others, and is a testament to the County’s commitment to building one of the world’s most welcoming communities.

In celebration of their 15th Anniversary, the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center has released its 15th anniversary report, and a new resource guide, in English and Spanish.