Bucks County sheriff seeks partnership with ICE to enforce immigration laws amid controversy.
The Bucks County Sheriff’s Department is initiating efforts to establish a partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the controversial “287(g)” program, which allows local law enforcement agencies to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. This will make the Bucks County Sheriff’s Department the first in the Philadelphia region to collaborate with ICE in this capacity since the program’s inception.
Sheriff Fred Harran emphasized that the department’s participation in the program is intended to enhance public safety and ensure that individuals who violate the law, irrespective of their immigration status, are held accountable. Under this initiative, 12 of the department’s 76 deputies will receive training to access a federal immigration database, which will aid in identifying individuals arrested for criminal charges who may also be subject to outstanding ICE warrants in Bucks County. However, it is crucial to note that deputies will not be granted the authority to carry out general immigration enforcement in the community or inquire about individuals’ immigration statuses during everyday interactions.
The announcement has elicited significant backlash from community members and advocacy groups. Laura Rose, a leader of the organization Indivisible Bucks County, articulated concerns over potential divisions within the community and the resultant distrust of law enforcement. Advocates worry that the program could lead to heightened fear among immigrant populations and deter individuals from reporting crimes, fearing deportation or detention due to their immigration status.
In addition to community opposition, local leaders have expressed hesitations about the implications of collaborating with ICE. Heidi Roux, the executive director of Immigrant Rights Action, argued that such collaboration undermines the trust built between law enforcement and immigrant communities, ultimately jeopardizing public safety.
While discussions with stakeholders, including members of immigrant communities and faith leaders, continue, the sheriff’s office maintains that involving ICE will alleviate the financial burden on local taxpayers by transferring immigration detainees to federal custody, thereby reducing costs associated with housing and transporting them.
The 287(g) program itself has historically faced opposition in Pennsylvania, highlighted by a prominent rejection in 2018 when Bensalem officials withdrew plans to collaborate with ICE after facing significant public dissent.
Currently, other Pennsylvania counties, such as Lancaster and Franklin, have pending applications or existing agreements with ICE, but opposition to the 287(g) program reflects a broader debate regarding the responsibilities of local police in enforcing federal immigration laws. Activists caution that maintaining a separation between local policing and federal immigration enforcement is essential for fostering a safe and cooperative environment within diverse communities.
As the discussion around this potential partnership unfolds, the Bucks County Sheriff’s Department is navigating a complex landscape of public opinion, community safety, and fiscal responsibility within the broader context of immigration enforcement in the United States.
