Police in Pottsville may become the latest agency in Schuylkill County to enroll in an ICE program that gives officers limited immigration law enforcement power.
City Council members are expected to vote Monday on whether or not to enroll in the federal agency’s 287(g) Task Force Model program. The council’s regular meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at City Hall.
Under the Task Force Model, local police can perform limited immigration enforcement duties during their routine operations or as active participants in an ICE-led task force. This includes the authority to interrogate individuals and make warrantless arrests based on suspected immigration violations, allowing officers to “identify and report suspected aliens not charged with crimes”.
Regarding program funding, ICE promotional materials indicate that participating agencies may receive federal reimbursements, including $100,000 for vehicles, $7,500 per trained officer for equipment, and partial salary coverage. However, the program’s legally binding Memorandum of Agreement stipulates that local agencies are responsible for the personnel and operational expenses of carrying out these duties. The agreement also notes that the local agency’s obligations remain in effect whether or not it actually receives financial reimbursement through a federal grant.
Schuylkill County Law Enforcement Agencies in ICE 287(g) Task Force Model
There are currently 7 other law enforcement agencies in Schuylkill County that have signed a Memorandum of Agreement in the ICE 287(g) Task Force Model program. They’re part of a group of 987 agencies in 32 states that have joined.
Here’s a listing of those agencies in Schuylkill County:
- Frackville Borough
- Mahanoy City Borough
- Mahanoy Township
- Orwigsburg Borough
- Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office
- Schuylkill Haven Borough
- Shenandoah Borough
Pine Grove Borough Council members were supposed to consider whether to join or not but it never came to a vote.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...
Dan Zuckerman
April 13, 2026 at 10:36 am
This right here should be a non-starter for Pottsville: the authority to interrogate individuals and make warrantless arrests based on suspected immigration violations, allowing officers to “identify and report suspected aliens not charged with crimes”.
The 14th Amendment stipulates that “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
That means that what ICE and the CBP is doing is illegal. And what they want the Pottsville police to do is illegal also.
The final point, that The agreement also notes that the local agency’s obligations remain in effect whether or not it actually receives financial reimbursement through a federal grant, means that once Pottsville signs this illegal Memorandum of Agreement, they have to do what ICE says whether they get paid or not.
Please let Mayor Smith and the City Council that this is a terrible agreement and that we should not be supporting it.
JPollchak
April 17, 2026 at 1:20 pm
Spoken like a true leftist Pottsville democRat.
Rene Boylan
April 13, 2026 at 11:22 am
Please say no to ICE in Pottsville.
Patricia Eichman
April 13, 2026 at 12:20 pm
ICE OUT! Please do not become linked with such a horrible, untrustworthy, rogue agency as ICE has proven itself to be. ICE is ridiculously undertrained and your officers may be in danger near them! The Pottsville Police Department is well respected and also remember that Pottsville is the county seat. In a way, you are representing much more than the City of Pottsville alone. We expect democratic treatment, not warrantless searches and criminal violence when we visit Pottsville. Thank you.
Debbie
April 13, 2026 at 4:27 pm
Please help ICE get these illegals out of Schuylkill County. Its the law.
JPollchak
April 17, 2026 at 1:22 pm
I love it when the forecast is for ICE!!!
Tonia
April 13, 2026 at 12:38 pm
No ICE in Pottsville!
Lisa Von Ahn
April 13, 2026 at 1:04 pm
I can’t see the value in diverting our already stretched-thin police force — who already target criminals — to do the job of an agency that by all accounts is flush with cash – or in disappearing hard-working and law-abiding people who may or may not be documented. Nor does the MOA say for sure that our city will get anything for this.
Shaun
April 13, 2026 at 4:44 pm
No ICE
Guy
April 13, 2026 at 11:33 pm
I don’t understand why anyone would welcome illegal immigrants into their communities and be against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who keep our communities safe. We have no idea who these illegal immigrants are and what they did in the past. It’s true some South of the Border countries emptied their prisons for the sole purpose of those criminals entering the United States. Let’s not forget the burden these illegals have put on our healthcare system and social programs. I welcome immigrants who enter our country legally.