SAN DIEGO, United States (CMC) — The California-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) has praised Maryland Governor Wes Moore for signing an executive order establishing the Maryland Immigrant Rights Protection Task Force.

The signing comes at a time when Caribbean and other immigrants are under increasing attack by United States (US) President Donald Trump, and Moore said the statewide initiative is aimed at protecting immigrants from fraud, exploitation and discrimination.

He said the task force will bring together state agencies, including the Attorney General’s office to coordinate efforts to safeguard immigrants in Maryland.

“The executive order comes at a critical time as immigrant communities across the country face increasingly sophisticated scams and exploitation by individuals seeking to take advantage of vulnerable populations,” HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“In addition, this task force serves as a response to the Trump administration’s draconian and racist policies targeting and persecuting immigrants. The task force will operate for 12 months and focus on strengthening protections and accountability,” Jozef claimed.

“Haitian Bridge Alliance commends Governor Moore for taking decisive action to protect immigrant families. This executive order sends a powerful message that immigrants deserve dignity, safety and equal protection under the law,” she added.

Jozef said Maryland is demonstrating what leadership looks like by proactively addressing the challenges facing immigrant communities and ensuring that bad actors are held accountable.

She said HBA remains committed to working alongside policymakers, advocates and community leaders to advance policies that protect the rights and well-being of immigrants throughout the United States.

In signing the executive order creating a 12-month statewide task force on immigrant rights protection, Moore noted that immigrants comprise about 17 per cent of Maryland’s population and nearly 22 per cent of the state’s labour force.

“Despite significant contributions to the state’s economic, social and cultural life, many immigrant Marylanders have long faced discrimination and substandard services in areas such as legal services, employment and housing,” he said.

“More recently, immigrant communities have reported the emergence of new schemes targeting immigrants for exploitation and abuse, as unscrupulous actors seek to take advantage of immigrants’ fear of immigration enforcement.”

Moores said this predatory activity not only harms immigrants and their families, but it also distorts markets, impedes fair competition and diminishes the safety and security of all Marylanders.

“Our immigrant communities contribute to the greatness of Maryland. “I have made it clear that we will not stand by while bad actors prey on immigrants in our communities.

“In forming this task force, we are demonstrating the unity and strength of our state when we join together against injustice,” said Moore, noting that his executive order follows his call to better address fraud and exploitation of immigrant Marylanders during his State of the State address earlier this year.

Moore said the task force will be chaired by his Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) and that the Maryland Immigrant Rights Protection Task Force executive order will focus on a number of issues.

Earlier this year, the governor signed legislation to establish schools and hospitals as safe spaces, and prohibit state and local jurisdictions from deputising officers for federal civil immigration enforcement activity.

In February, Moore sent a letter to the then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem outlining his concerns with the department’s purchase and planned development and operation of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention warehouse near Williamsport.