Mayor Scott’s executive order allows city lawyers to volunteer in immigration court cases

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A new executive order from Mayor Brandon Scott will potentially pull Baltimore’s Law Department into immigration court.

The order authorizes the City Solicitor and other city attorneys to represent Baltimore residents involved in immigration proceedings.

According to the order, the legal help would be provided on a “pro bono” basis, meaning attorneys would volunteer their time, and only if there are no conflicts of interest.

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Mayor Scott says the effort is needed to help protect vulnerable residents navigating a complex legal system. But critics say the policy raises serious concerns about how taxpayer-funded resources are being used.

“There are nonprofits, there are plenty of law firms that will do this pro bono without the city getting involved,” says taxpayer advocate David Williams.

Williams argues that even if the representation is “pro-bono”, the attorneys are still salaried city employees, paid with public dollars. Williams adds it blurs the line between the city’s legal responsibilities and private legal advocacy.

“This is not about a legal defense. This is about virtue signaling. This is about Mayor Scott going against the Trump administration,” says Williams, “He thinks he’s getting points with this, and he really isn’t, because there is going to be a backlash with the amount of time and money that is spent on these defenses.”

On Thursday, residents FOX45 spoke with at a West Baltimore bus stop also questioned the move.

“That doesn’t make sense,” said one resident, “You’re taking resources from Americans and then you giving them to illegal migrants.”

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“Mayor Scott, you need to take a look at your city first,” said another, “We have people out here are homeless, we have people with substance abuse that need help.”

Taking those concerns directly to the Scott administration, FOX45 sent the mayor’s office the following questions:

• How does the Mayor respond to concerns that taxpayer-funded city attorneys would be engaging in legal representation unrelated to the City’s core governmental functions?
• What safeguards are in place to ensure this work does not interfere with the Law Department’s obligations to represent Baltimore City?
• Does the administration believe this could set a precedent for city attorneys providing legal representation in other types of personal legal matters?

The Mayor’s office responded with a statement to FOX45, writing in part, “By definition, the fact that they are volunteering their personal time means they are not diverting time and resources away from their primary role for the City.”