Da’Cara Thompson was only 19. She was a young Black woman from Prince George’s County with her whole life ahead of her: dreams, potential, a future. All of that ended in a moment of senseless violence. The real tragedy is not just that she was killed, but that her death could have been prevented.
The man charged with killing her, an illegal immigrant, had been in U.S. Park Police custody not long before. He was arrested for a DUI. Authorities had him in the system, but instead of holding him or turning him over to federal immigration officials, he was released back into the community. Because of that decision, Da’Cara is gone. Now, Annapolis Democrats want to duplicate the same process that resulted in Da’Cara being murdered.
Her murder wasn’t a system glitch. This was the system working exactly as the radical ideologues in Annapolis are now proposing through new legislation for the rest of the state.
When we discuss “sanctuary” policies or limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, these are not just abstract political ideas. They can mean the difference between life and death for people like Da’Cara Thompson. Politicians in Annapolis often speak about “equity” and “justice,” but where was the equity for Da’Cara? Where is the justice for her family?
There is a growing rift between the ruling class in the State House and the people they supposedly represent. While Annapolis Democrats work overtime to dismantle public safety, poll after poll shows just how out of touch they are with everyday Marylanders.
The numbers? Overwhelming and undeniable. According to a September 2024 poll by Gonzales Research & Media Services, commissioned by the Maryland Freedom Caucus, a staggering 84% of Maryland voters support requiring local law enforcement to turn over to ICE any illegal immigrant convicted of a violent crime, gang activity or sexual offense. That’s not a typo: 84%. In a country this divided, such a consensus is unheard of. This support crosses all political and demographic lines. Democrats, Republicans, independents, Black and white voters are all united in a tidal wave of support for common-sense public safety policy.
This view remains strong. This month, a new poll by Gonzales showed that 54% of Marylanders support allowing local jails to run ICE-linked background checks on all detainees. Most people want local correction officers to work directly with ICE to help keep communities safe.
If so many people agree, why are their representatives so disconnected from what voters want?
Instead of listening to the 84% who want safe neighborhoods and the 54% majority who support common-sense background checks, Annapolis Democrats are busy pushing dangerous nonsense such as S.B. 245 and S.B. 1. These bills would prevent local correction officers from cooperating with ICE and require ICE agents to “unmask,” effectively painting a target on the backs of federal law enforcement officers just for doing their jobs. They are more concerned with intimidating the good guys than incapacitating the bad guys.
They have chosen to prioritize the comfort of illegal aliens arrested for crimes over the safety of law-abiding Marylanders. They have chosen ideology over common sense and over the clear wishes of the citizens they claim to serve.
We now have to ask a difficult question: Why are our leaders not supporting us?
When a government refuses to deport violent gang members, who are they protecting? When they release drunk drivers who are here illegally back into traffic, who are they serving? It certainly isn’t you. It isn’t your children. And it certainly wasn’t Da’Cara Thompson.
Public safety is the government’s first responsibility. If politicians in Annapolis refuse to work with federal law enforcement to remove dangerous criminals, they have failed in that duty. They have forgotten who they are meant to protect.
Da’Cara Thompson’s story is a warning. It is a poignant reminder of what can happen when politics takes precedence over public safety. Marylanders have made their wishes clear many times over. They want law and order, cooperation with ICE and safer neighborhoods.
It is time for Annapolis to decide: Will they keep catering to a radical fringe, or will they finally start fighting for us?
Del. Matt Morgan (Matt.Morgan@house.state.md.us) is a Republican representing District 29A of St. Mary’s County. Del. Kathy Szeliga (kathy.szeliga@house.state.md.us) is a Republican representing District 7A of Baltimore County.
