The Pottsville City Council meeting Monday night was marked by a lengthy and often heated debate over the city’s proposed participation in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, which ultimately passed following a rare procedural reversal by council members.
287(g) Program Debate Draws Large Crowd
The issue before council was Resolution 97, which proposed entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the federal 287(g) program. The partnership would allow members of the Pottsville Bureau of Police to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions.
The discussion drew significant public comment from both supporters and opponents.
Several residents voiced concerns that participation in the program would create fear within immigrant communities and damage trust between residents and local law enforcement.
“When local law enforcement is seen as an extension of federal immigration agents, it creates a chilled environment where vulnerable community members fear sending their children to school... or reporting crimes to local police,” said one resident.
Another speaker urged council to reject the proposal.
“Pottsville deserves safety and trust, not discrimination division. And your vote today tells this community which side of that argument you support,” he said.
Supporters of the program included law enforcement officers from neighboring communities already participating in 287(g). Officers from Mahanoy Township testified that the program provides additional tools for identifying individuals wanted by ICE while reducing transportation and detention costs for municipalities.
“It’s an additional tool that law enforcements can use,” Officer Maldonado told council. “We don't make the determination on if they're illegal... ICE will tell us.”
Resolution Initially Failed Before Dramatic Reversal
In a dramatic turn during the meeting, the resolution initially failed after a 3-2 vote against adoption.
Moments later, Councilman Price made a motion to reopen discussion and reconsider the vote, stating he felt obligated to support the request made by police leadership for the additional enforcement tool.
During the second vote, Councilman Price changed his vote from “No” to “Yes,” resulting in the resolution passing by a 3-2 margin.
Following the reversal, Councilman Wollyung publicly criticized the decision and referenced federal funding associated with the program.
“Price of morality is $100,000 in case anybody wants to know,” Wollyung said.