The Greenbelt City Council convened Monday, October 27 to discuss their responses to reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities along the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, anti-immigrant flyers found in Greenbelt, and Maryland’s Consolidated Transportation Plan and to approve funding for art programs in the city.
ICE Activities
Councilmember Jenni Pompi introduced a statement from council in response to recent reports of ICE agents riding with U.S. Park Police (USPP) and making arrests along the Parkway, with those detained being taken to the USPP station in Greenbelt Park. This was followed by a wide-ranging discussion of whom the statement is for, whether it should be a travel advisory and what actions council is taking regarding requests by Greenbelt residents for council to respond to ICE activities. They also discussed the effects on the immigrant community. The end result was that council unanimously approved the statement and it has been posted to the city’s website.
In the statement, council, recognizing the fear these ICE detentions have caused in the community, reassures residents that it continues its policy of not enforcing immigration law or assisting ICE in its actions. The city has raised the issue with representatives in Congress and officials at other levels of state and federal government. The city has hosted Know Your Rights trainings and other community events in partnership with CASA and local attorneys, and plans to offer further education and support workshops. Residents are encouraged to exercise their legal rights, such as remaining silent, and to use the CASA hotline to report ICE activity. Businesses are reminded that federal agents cannot enter spaces marked as private.
Hateful Flyers
Councilmember Jenni Pompi read a draft statement from council regarding recent anti-immigrant flyers that have been found in Greenbelt. There was some discussion on repeating the language from the flyers in the statement and it was decided not to. Council also discussed whether the flyers fell under protected speech. Greenbelt resident Michael Hartman felt that whether the words were protected or not, council can still have an opinion about them. Council unanimously agreed to convey the statement, which can also be found on the city’s website.
Arts Program
Council unanimously approved a $27,401 increase in expenditures for Greenbelt Recreation’s Arts Program. The increase in the art fund expenditure line is because a grant it was awarded was more than the program expected to receive ($78,101 vs. $50,700). These funds will support efforts at Springhill Lake Recreation Center, purchase arts equipment and provide more resources for Public Arts projects.
Transportation Program
City staff has reviewed the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) which is Maryland’s six-year capital budget for transportation projects (e.g., resurfacing the Beltway, expanding I-81 to six lanes and widening U.S. 15).
The draft CTP includes a $300 million increase over the $21.2B Final FY 2025-2030 CTP. This increase reflects additional revenues generated through new fees such as an annual registration surcharge for electric vehicles, a fee on transportation network company trips and a fee on tire purchases. It also includes increased fees on vehicle titles and registrations.
Staff would like to send a letter to the state regarding the draft CTP specifically asking that funding be programmed for Segments 1-4 of the Greenbelt East Trail and restate the city’s opposition to any alternatives for I-270 and I-495 that involve widening the Beltway.
Councilmember Rodney Roberts expressed his opposition to the increase in fees funding the CTP and Councilmember Silke Pope concurred.
Council unanimously agreed to send the letter forward but with additional wording that expressed their sentiments regarding the new fees.
Rental Licenses
Mayor Emmett Jordan introduced an amendment that would require HOA/condominium organizations to approve the renewal of rental licenses. Currently an owner must apply for a rental license but not for renewals and this amendment would close that loophole.
Pope felt the amendment should also state why a refusal can be done and why not. She and Councilmember Kristen Weaver agreed that council should meet with HOA/condo boards in Greenbelt for further discussion.
Jordan appreciated these thoughts and reiterated it was a draft that needed legal counsel and others to examine it.
Cooperatives
The month of October is Cooperative Month, during which members from 40,000 co-ops nationwide celebrate the benefits and values of cooperative membership. Jordan read the city’s proclamation of support and recognition of cooperatives which was presented to representatives from several of Greenbelt’s cooperatives, including the Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union, Greenbelt Homes, Inc., New Deal Café, Greenbelt News Review, Greenbelt Nursery School and the Greenbelt Co-op Supermarket and Pharmacy (see the photo in the October 30 issue).
City of Greenbelt Public Statement on Recent ICE Activities along Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Guided by principles that transcend politics and circumstance, the City of Greenbelt remains anchored in values of respect, cooperation, and human dignity. These values are expressed in our Community Pledge: “The strength of Greenbelt is diverse people living together in a spirit of cooperation. We celebrate all people. By sharing together all are enriched. We strive to be a respectful, welcoming community that is open, accessible, safe and fair.” ‒ City of Greenbelt Community Pledge
It is in this spirit that we address and take a position on civil enforcement actions by the federal government.
The City of Greenbelt has received reports from residents and community organizations regarding recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and U.S. Park Police activities along the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. These reports describe traffic stops and detentions that have generated fear and uncertainty among community members.
The Greenbelt City Council takes these concerns seriously and recognizes the distress these actions have caused. While the City of Greenbelt has no authority over federal agencies or federal land, we are committed to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of everyone who lives, works and worships in our city. We are deeply troubled by accounts that these enforcement actions involve racial profiling and pretextual stops. These actions undermine public trust in the federal government, its institutions, and its law enforcement agencies; in particular, the US Park Police, who are well respected in their endeavor to protect our National Parks and their recreational users. A loss of trust erodes safety and fairness ‒ values which are essential to community well-being.
Our Actions
The City of Greenbelt has escalated these concerns with our congressional representatives and will continue working with state and federal representatives to seek transparency and accountability. Greenbelt Police does not enforce civil immigration law and will not assist ICE with civil enforcement actions. This approach is consistent with city policy as well as state and federal law. The city has already hosted Know Your Rights trainings, legal clinics and community resource events in partnership with CASA (a nonprofit organization that provides empowerment for working-class immigrants), local attorneys and community advocates. Additional workshops are being planned to provide continued education and support. The city will continue to amplify and promote resources offered by CASA and the State of Maryland for reporting ICE activity, along with District 22’s Bystander Training and similar community safety initiatives.
Guidance for Residents
If you witness or are affected by immigration enforcement activity:
Remain calm and exercise your legal rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to request a warrant.
For assistance regarding ICE detentions, call the CASA Hotline: 1-855-678-2272
Businesses and landlords are reminded that federal agents must present a judicial warrant to enter private spaces.
Our Values
Greenbelt is ‒ and will continue to be ‒ a welcoming city that values every resident, regardless of birthplace or immigration status. Immigrants are essential to our community’s strength, economy and culture. We reject fear, discrimination and division in all forms, and we reaffirm our ongoing commitment to safety, inclusion, respect and human dignity for all. The City of Greenbelt stands in solidarity with all residents affected by these actions. Together with our regional partners, we remain focused on ensuring that our community stays informed, protected and united.
Statement from Greenbelt City Council on Hateful Flyers
October 31, 2025
Dear Greenbelt Residents, The Greenbelt City Council is aware of recent flyers circulating in our community conveying hateful and fear-driven messages to our Latino neighbors. We condemn these flyers in the strongest possible terms. These flyers are intended to create division and dehumanize our neighbors. They do not represent the values that define Greenbelt. Our city has a longstanding commitment to fairness, compassion, and inclusion. Every Greenbelt resident ‒ regardless of immigration status, national origin, race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, religious belief, sexual orientation or family status ‒ is a valued and respected member of our community. Greenbelt remains committed to being a welcoming city. We stand firmly against discrimination, harassment and attempts to make any member of our community feel unsafe or unwelcome. Acts that target or threaten individuals based on who they are, have no place here. To all who call Greenbelt home: You belong. You matter. We will continue working together to ensure that Greenbelt remains a community where all residents feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect.
Sincerely,
The Greenbelt City Council
