Lackawanna County commissioners have delayed a decision on a contentious proposal concerning the interaction between county employees and federal immigration enforcement. This pause comes amidst advocacy for a firmer stance on limiting such interactions.
Advocates are pushing for a policy akin to Commissioner Bill Gaughan’s earlier proposal, which aims to prevent county employees from assisting immigration agents unless backed by legal documentation such as a court order or warrant. The policy under discussion, proposed by Commissioner Thom Welby, was seen as a compromise but was described by Gaughan as a “watered-down” version of what he had envisioned.
Commissioner Chris Chermak, a Republican, expressed strong opposition to broadly regulating employee interactions with immigration authorities. He highlighted the tragedies involving Americans harmed by individuals he described as “illegal aliens,” arguing that their presence led to unnecessary violence and loss.
In response, Welby and Gaughan reiterated their stance against county participation in 287 (g) agreements, which grant local police authority to enforce federal immigration laws.
Policy Details
Welby’s proposed policy outlines specific procedures for county employees when dealing with law enforcement. These include:
- Requesting identification from law enforcement officers.
- Inquiring about warrants, court orders, or subpoenas if agents seek access or records.
- Consulting with supervisors or the county chief of staff before proceeding.
The policy emphasizes that employees should not independently assess the legality of documents presented. It also provides guidelines for involving the county solicitor and mandates employee training on handling such interactions.
Opponents of the policy, like Shawn Reilly, criticized the lack of transparency and clarity, noting the vague language used in the meeting agenda. Others, like Beth Perry, warned of potential legal repercussions if the county cooperates with immigration enforcement and unlawful detentions occur.
Community Reactions
Residents like Terilynn Brechtel advocated for explicitly limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to what is legally required, emphasizing the broader impact of fear and uncertainty on community behavior.
Conversely, individuals such as Mike Giannetta voiced concerns over becoming a “sanctuary county,” arguing that cooperation with federal authorities is vital to community safety. William Torbeck and Laureen Cummings echoed these sentiments, challenging the rationale behind restricting employee interactions with immigration officials.
County Controller Gary DiBileo expressed support for providing employees guidance on handling interactions with ICE, stressing the need for ICE to focus on “the worst of the worst” criminal elements.
DiBileo criticized some perceptions about immigrants, arguing that most are fleeing dire conditions and that the narrative of immigrants as criminals is misleading.
