ICE Police Policies Explained In Jenkintown Borough

JENKINTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Borough officials are explaining their ICE policies regarding the Jenkintown Borough Police Department.

Borough officials said its police department's mission is public safety, not civil immigration enforcement.

Borough officials issued a public statement outlining what local police do and do not do when immigration-related issues arise.

In the statement, the borough described Jenkintown as a "welcoming, inclusive community" and said immigrants are "an essential part of Jenkintown's fabric-contributing to our neighborhood, our school, our businesses, and the vibrancy that makes our community special."

The document says the borough values everyone who lives in, works in or visits Jenkintown.

The statement says the Jenkintown Borough Police Department is "committed to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of every person, regardless of immigration status."

According to the statement, borough officials separate local policing from immigration enforcement because "we build trust, ensure fairness, and make clear that fear should never prevent someone from calling the police for help."

"Trust between law enforcement and the community is essential for effective and just policing, and we work every day to strengthen that trust," officials said.

The borough said police provide "the same level of service, protection, and respect to all residents, visitors, victims, and witnesses regardless of immigration status."

The statement said police officers enforce local and state laws, encourage people to report crimes and seek help without fear, and follow laws on privacy and sharing personal information.

It also says police notify the chief of police and the mayor about any immigration-related situation that comes to the department's attention for review and accountability.

The borough also listed actions it said Jenkintown police do not take:

• Police do not enforce federal immigration laws
• Police do not ask about immigration status during routine interactions or when people access borough services
• Police do not collect or share immigration status, country of origin or other sensitive personal data except where required by state or federal law.
• The police department has not entered and will not enter ICE's 287(g) program.
• Police have not assisted ICE with immigration enforcement activities in the borough.