Lower Merion Police Address ICE Arrest

HAVERFORD, PA – On May 11, Lower Merion Township Police responded to an area in the township where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were serving an arrest warrant on a male. Police said the incident has since generated "much speculation"and issued a statement Friday, June 2 addressing the incident.

At about 7:30 a.m. May 11, police were dispatched to north side of the Haverford Train Station, police said.

Upon arrival, officer found two agents from the Philadelphia field office of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempting serve a warrant on a male, with the arrest warrant on hand, police said.

Police said ICE agents reported the suspect was seen exiting his home then locking himself in his vehicle, refusing to get out.

The man's spouse convinced him to exit the vehicle and he was then taken into ICE custody without incident, police said.

Township police were dispatched to the area to advise the agents on how to proceed, police said.

"LMPD officers did not become involved in this matter, other than being present while the agents conducted their business," police said in a statement Friday.

Superintendent Michael McGrath said upon review of the incident that township officers handled the matter appropriately.

"Despite the current national debate about what the new administration is charging federal agents to do, local law enforcement does not enforce federal immigration laws," the statement said. "The LMPD does not, and should not, evaluate charges filed by ICE, and has no authority over the agency’s actions. The Lower Merion Police Department works with other law enforcement agencies in a professional and cooperative spirit at the local, state and federal level, which is reciprocated in kind."

Image via U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement