A recent operation involving immigration authorities and local law enforcement resulted in the arrest of over 40 individuals connected to the Geisinger Medical Center construction site in Montour County. The raids, which occurred over the past week, have sparked significant attention and concern among immigrant advocacy organizations.
According to an email from the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, relayed by the Centre County Rapid Response Network, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained at least 41 people as they departed the construction site on September 2, around 5 p.m. Additionally, at least one more person was apprehended the following Tuesday. The individuals involved are reportedly from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and other nations.
Efforts to reach an ICE spokesperson for comments have not been successful, and it remains unclear whether the agents possessed the necessary warrants or probable cause for these arrests.
The Geisinger Construction Project
In the previous year, construction commenced on an 11-story tower, a significant part of $880 million expansion of Geisinger’s medical center in Danville. This development is set to feature a new emergency department, 192 private patient rooms, and a modern operating suite.
Statements from Geisinger
Geisinger has acknowledged awareness of the September 2 law enforcement activities. In an official statement, a spokesperson clarified that the event “was not on Geisinger property and appears to have involved workers from the Geisinger Medical Center tower construction project.” It was further noted that a construction manager is tasked with ensuring compliance with all federal and state work eligibility requirements for the project.
The construction’s general contractor, Whiting-Turner, based in Towson, Maryland, has multiple offices nationwide. Efforts to contact the company for remarks have also been unsuccessful. However, Geisinger spokesperson Matt Mattei conveyed via email, “We are having ongoing conversations with our construction contractor but don’t anticipate delays in the overall project.”
Eyewitness Accounts
Reports from immigrant advocacy groups suggest that agents intercepted workers’ vehicles at Geisinger exits, tracked them from the site’s perimeter to their homes, and established checkpoints near highway entrances. These accounts include a statement from an eyewitness, who said, “What happened last Wednesday is a direct attack on the hardworking immigrant community. We are building the largest source for jobs in Danville — a project that will benefit many people — yet I cannot stop replaying the events in my mind. ICE monitored us with drones, watched our vehicles, and intercepted us on the roads. Alongside local police, they waited for us. With the support of local police, they used their power to intimidate us, to let us know we have no rights and that they will take anyone away they encounter.”
The witness further described Tuesday’s raid as resembling a “manhunt,” which has left workers frightened and hesitant to return to their jobs.
It is also reported that Danville police were involved in the operations. Questions directed to the Danville Police Chief Greg Watson were deferred to ICE.
