Gov. Wes Moore (left) celebrates the appointment of former FAA official Shannetta Griffin to lead the Maryland Aviation Administration. (Courtesy photo via X)
Gov. Wes Moore (left) celebrates the appointment of former FAA official Shannetta Griffin to lead the Maryland Aviation Administration. (Courtesy photo via X)

Former FAA Official Shannetta Griffin Appointed to Lead Maryland Aviation Administration

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld named as the new executive director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), which oversees the management, operations, and maintenance of BWI Airport, Baltimore County鈥檚 Martin State Airport, and the state鈥檚 regional aviation assistance program.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) this appointment with pride.

鈥淗er leadership will take Maryland to new heights, ensuring our airports continue to generate economic growth and provide safe, reliable, and convenient travel experiences,鈥 Moore wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Griffin has decades of experience as a professional engineer. She was previously appointed as the associate administrator of Airports for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on June 7, 2021, by former President Joe Biden (D) and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. 

She also served as the chief commercial officer for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

鈥淚 have full confidence in Shannetta to lead MAA and help grow BWI Marshall Airport, one of Maryland鈥檚 most significant economic engines,鈥 said Transportation Secretary following her April 4 appointment. 鈥淗er proven leadership and commitment to promoting safety, fostering economic growth and providing premiere customer service ensures BWI Marshall remains one of the top airports in the region.鈥

Federal Judge Rules Prince George’s Resident Illegally Deported to El Salvador, Community Rallies for Return

Dozens gathered at the Greenbelt courthouse to hear the ruling for Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Hyattsville resident who was deported to El Salvador by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, awaiting to learn if he could return to his family. Cheers erupted upon District Judge 鈥 to bring him home. President Donald Trump (R) has asked the Supreme Court to this ruling. 

Immigrant advocacy and assistance organization demanded the return of Abrego Garcia, who was given legal protections in 2019 based on fear of danger if he were returned to El Salvador.

鈥淐ASA is outraged that ICE deported CASA member Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia in violation of a court order and at grave personal danger. In 2019, a judge issued an order prohibiting the government from deporting Kilmar to El Salvador based on the risk of persecution Kilmar would confront if returned to El Salvador. That order still stands,鈥 said CASA in a . 鈥淵et, in an act that they now refer to as an 鈥榓dministrative error,鈥 ICE ignored that court order, and disappeared him into a notorious Salvadoran prison. Kilmar joined three planeloads of deportees; many of whom 鈥 like Kilmar 鈥 have never been charged with a crime.鈥

Xinis鈥 ruling emphasizes Abrego Garcia鈥檚 swift return home.

鈥淚f there was ever a case for an emergency stay pending appeal, this would be it. Abrego Garcia is presently being held in El Salvador, by the El Salvadoran government. The United States does not have control over Abrego Garcia. Or the sovereign nation of El Salvador,鈥 read the federal judge鈥檚 ruling. 鈥淣evertheless, the court鈥檚 injunction commands that鈥 somehow, Abrego Garcia鈥檚 return to the United States in鈥 give or take鈥 one business day. That order is indefensible.鈥

Richard is a contributing writer with the 番茄社区app, focusing on Prince George鈥檚 county鈥檚 political and business updates alongside sports. He graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore...

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