Maryland’s top officials stood with immigrant advocates Monday to break ground on a $33 million Langley Park multicultural center, brushing off a handful of protesters nearby who railed against spending taxpayer dollars to potentially assist illegal immigrants.
Leaders of CASA of Maryland, the state’s largest immigrant advocacy group, plan to transform the historic McCormick-Goodhart Mansion located near University Boulevard into a new headquarters building where they will offer English classes, provide employment assistance and help immigrants navigate the tricky citizenship application process.
A coalition of elected officials from state, federal and county governments — including Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson — provided funding and moral support the project.
Public funds make up roughly half of the $33 million project, including $500,000 in funding from Prince George’s County, a $100,000 grant from Montgomery County and about $6 million in state and federal tax credits. Bank of America, Washington Adventist Hospital, PNC Bank, CITGO and the Ford Foundation were also on a lengthy list of major donors.
Just outside the grounds of the 84-year-old mansion, a group of about 10 protesters gathered to denounce the project, saying it was unethical for elected leaders to provide public funding for programs they believe are designed to help illegal immigrants.
CASA operates day labor centers across Maryland, including three in Montgomery County, that have become a target of anti-illegal-immigration groups because they do not check the immigration status of the people they help find work.
“If somebody is here illegally they are a criminal,” protester and Potomac resident Marshall Barrett said. “Why should we give taxpayer money to support that?”
Leggett, Montgomery County’s top elected official, said the protesters were “to some degree in denial.” He said the project is a worthwhile long-term investment for the area, despite massive budget problems affecting Maryland’s state and local governments.
“Unless we have job training, English classes, opportunities so people can go out, get jobs, buy homes and invest in our economy, than it will hurt all of our goals in the long run,” Leggett said.
