Using Policy and Fundraising to Help Immigrant Communities
We speak up for the rights and needs of immigrants. Our office works with City Council, the Mayor’s Office, community members, and others to create fairer rules and raise money to help immigrants in Baltimore. Keep reading to learn about new laws and projects we’ve helped with.
Ensuring the Availability of Language Services
In 2024, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA) helped write and support a new law called Bill 24-0584, “Baltimore City Government Entities—Language Access.”
On October 23, 2024, MIMA staff and community members spoke at a public meeting to show support for the bill. On December 2, 2024, City Council passed the bill, and Mayor Brandon Scott signed it into law as City Ordinance 24-440.
This new law makes sure that important information and city services are available to people no matter what language they speak. It also explains which city offices must follow these rules and what steps the City must take to follow federal anti-discrimination laws.
Read About This Law
Cementing a Voice for Immigrants
In late 2023, Mayor Brandon Scott and Councilwoman Odette Ramos worked together to create a new law that would make the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA) a permanent part of Baltimore City government. MIMA was first started in 2014, but it could be changed or removed depending on who was mayor.
In May 2024, City Council passed the new law, and in June, Mayor Scott signed it. This law, called Ordinance 24-347, makes sure that MIMA will always be here to support immigrants and refugees in Baltimore, no matter who is mayor.
Read About This Law
Fundraising for Families of the Key Bridge Collapse
In the early hours of March 26, 2024, a container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River. Six maintenance workers lost their lives, while two survived. As these workers were New Americans, this event had a profound impact on Baltimore’s immigrant community.
In response to this great loss, MIMA partnered with the Baltimore Civic Fund to raise over one million dollars from almost six thousand individual donors to provide the families of the victims and survivors with crucial aid in their time of grief and recovery.
Lowering Language Barriers in the City
In the fall of 2022, Councilwoman Odette Ramos called for a hearing regarding Baltimore City’s work to hire more Hispanic/Latine city workers and Spanish speakers.
In February 2023, representatives from the Mayor's Office of Immigration Affairs testified in the public hearing. Director Catalina Rodriguez-Lima affirmed the positive impact of hiring Spanish-speaking employees in the City government. She also stressed the need for systemic solutions to language barriers in the city.
This resolution was adopted by the City Council in October of 2023.
Read About the Resolution