Maryland Caucus with Foxwell and Mitchell: A Pastor Espinal Update, Andy Harris MIA, and Van Hollen Shoutout

Every Wednesday, Maryland political analysts Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell discuss the politics and personalities of the state and region.

This week on Maryland Caucus, Len and Clayton discuss the recent developments in the ICE arrest of beloved Mid-Shore pastor Daniel Espinal, the notable absence of 1st District Congressman Andy Harris from the Espinal case, and a shoutout to Senator Chris Van Hollen for his leadership and vocal advocacy on behalf of the pastor.  They also share their Maryland Caucus hot takes for the week.

This podcast is approximately 15 minutes in length.

AI Disclosure: The Spy and its writers may use artificial intelligence tools to support accuracy and clarity in our reporting.

0 Responses

  1. One reason Pastor Espinal did not make progress on a road to being a documented immigrant is that, as far as I know, there is no path to take. There is no reasonable line to get into.

  2. The pastor’s name is Daniel Fuentes Espinal. He has a double last name: Fuentes is his father’s last name and Espinal his mother’s. He can be properly referred to as Mr Fuentes or Mr Fuentes Eapinal, but never Mr Espinal.

  3. The pastor’s name is Daniel Fuentes Espinal. He has a double last name: Fuentes is his father’s last name and Espinal his mother’s. He can be properly referred to as Mr Fuentes or Mr Fuentes Espina, but never solely Mr Espinal.

  4. How Mr Foxerll can praise Senator VanHollen is beyond me. I think this whole illegal immigrants fiasco lies directly on the shoulders of Congress and the last 4 Administrations. The Administrations have chosen to disregard our written laws, from W to Biden. Our immigration laws are in need of a major overhaul, but both sides of the aisle in Congress have chosen to make it a political football instead of doing their jobs and writing a new immigration bill that would have avoided this mess. The pastor and 10+million other undocumented immigrants didn’t follow our laws, but they were not in violation of Administratios’ policies. I say fire Congress and find representation who will do their job. I hope Pastor Fuentes Espinal and others like him are allowed to stay.

    1. Two congressional attempts at bipartisan immigration reform have been scuttled by extremists who want the chaos to continue. One during GWB’s presidency, legislation which that president supported. The second time more recently, scuttled by DJT himself. Please don’t blame Sen Van Hollen and others like him working hard to craft bipartisan legislation.

  5. Thank you Clayton Mitchell from a through and through Democrat for your articulate, reasoned and compassionate commentary on this issue. Would that more so-called moderates would listen to your words and act on them.

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