Bensalem Police's Possible ICE Partnership Under Fire

BENSALEM, PA — Local residents are voicing opposition to a controversial program that would see Bensalem Township police partner with ICE on local immigration enforcement. A protest estimated to include about 25 people was held outside the Bensalem Township Council meeting on Monday, and there is also an online petition circulating.

The residents are opposing Bensalem's involvement in the 287(g) program, which allows designated police officers to conduct federal immigration checks on residents who are suspected to be illegally living in the country.

If approved, Bensalem would be the first Pennsylvania agency involved, according to the latest data provided by ICE.

The program, touted by President Donald Trump, has received public support from Bensalem’s Director of Public Safety Fred Harran. "The intention of this program is to be one more tool in the toolbox to prevent crime, to stop the criminal from committing a crime tomorrow," Harran said, according to a report by the Bucks County Courier Times.

To be eligible for the program, officers must take a four-week basic training course administered by ICE. A one-week refresher training program must also be completed every two years, according to information from ICE. The program is active with 59 law enforcement agencies in 17 states.

Mayor Joe DiGirolamo has pledged that officers would not "barge into local businesses or restaurants to check workers’ statuses," the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

But residents are still concerned.

The online petition, entitled 287(g) is Bad For Bensalem, says the town should be focusing on policies "that make us more, not less, welcoming to newcomers."

More than 400 people have signed that petition as of Tuesday morning.

Residents opposed to the program say they fear it will enable racial profiling, dismantle trust between the community and law enforcement, and break families apart.

"Immigration is what this country is composed of and anything hindering it will dismantle families, peace and what the countey (sic) stands for. Additionally the cost or 'grants' to support this program should be allocated to our schools which continue to decline in rankings," wrote one person who signed the petition.

You can see the full petition here.