Narberth Borough, Montgomery County, Pa.
During its borough council meeting on Jan. 15, Narberth became the latest Philadelphia suburban town to address the ongoing controversy over Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns across the country.
Narberth Borough Council President Fred Bush said he has been “shocked” at the news out of Minneapolis, where an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good and where protesters and agents have repeatedly clashed while arrests and raids intensify.
“It doesn’t resemble the country that I grew up in — that I want to live in,” said Bush, who noted that his mother is a Cuban immigrant and her family has been racially profiled over the years. “I’m incredibly distressed that we’re heading back in that direction,” he added.
While Bush said borough officials “don’t have any particular evidence” that ICE would come to Narberth, agents have been repeatedly active in nearby Norristown, so it may be wise to prepare. Bush then handed out whistles to his fellow council members that they can use to alert community members if ICE agents are spotted.
“I really hope that we don’t have to have armed, masked men in our streets rampaging through and pulling people out of cars, but we will do what we can to be ready if that happens,” Bush said.
Bush’s comments come after Upper Darby council member Kyle McIntyre added his voice to growing outcry over the death of Cambodian immigrant Parady La while in ICE custody earlier this month. La, whom ICE characterized as a “criminal illegal alien,” was arrested in Upper Darby before being found unresponsive in his detention cell in Philadelphia. McIntyre, a Democrat, urged Philadelphia and Delaware County prosecutors to investigate La’s death.
Even before La’s arrest, Upper Darby residents who spoke at a township council meeting implored officials to support policies that limit unnecessary cooperation with ICE and help immigrant communities know their rights.
Elsewhere in Delaware County, Haverford Township commissioners voted Jan. 12 to restrict the police department from entering into a 287(g) program, which allows ICE officers to partner with municipal police to enforce federal immigration laws. Protestors also gathered in Lansdowne on Jan. 19 to express opposition to ICE, while hundreds more marched in Philadelphia.
Additionally, Demonstrators reportedly blocked the ICE field office garage for about 90 minutes on Jan. 20.
