ICE Arrests In Phoenixville Prompt Police Chief, Mayor Responses

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — ICE agents reportedly arrested people in Phoenixville on Tuesday, prompting Mayor Peter Urscheler and Borough Police Chief Brian Marshall to issue statements clarifying the role of borough police in immigration enforcement operations.

Action News reports witnesses saw ICE agents smashing windows and people being dragged from vehicles Tuesday on Taylor Alley, near the police department, borough hall, and the courthouse.

Videos posted to r/Phoenixville subreddit claim to show arrests taking place in the borough.

ICE just made an arrest in the parking lot of The Foodery
byu/lonelogic16 inPhoenixville

ICE in PXV 2/3/26
byu/bexitiz inPhoenixville

Marshall, at a meeting Tuesday, said emergency medical services personnel were dispatched to The Foodery at about 9:12 a.m. for a man in his 30s getting cuts on his hands after an encounter with ICE.

At about 9:26 a.m., The Foodery's general manager called police to have them remove ICE agents from the store's parking lot.

An officer showed up at about 9:29 a.m., and a person was already taken into custody by ICE. That man was treated by EMS for the cuts, which were suffered from broken glass, Marshall said.

Workers in the store said the agents were causing a traffic issue in the parking lot, then the officer spoke with the ICE agents, who said they were leaving with the person who was detained.

A Phoenixville Police sergeant also arrived and was told the person detained was in the area to attend court, Marshall said.

"ICE has been here for several months," he said. "They're not going away; they're going to be here."

He said due to ICE agents' federal status, they do not notify local police of their activities.

"We understand that there are many questions about the role of the Phoenixville Borough Police Department when it comes to immigration enforcement," Urscheler said. "We want to take a moment to clarify what our local law enforcement does and does not do regarding this matter."

Urscheler said Phoenixville Police serves all residents of Phoenixville, regardless of immigration status; enforces local and state laws to ensure public safety; and investigates crimes and works to protect victims and witnesses, irrespective of immigration status.

Local police do not enforce federal immigration laws; do not inquire about an individual’s immigration status during routine policing activities; or conduct immigration raids or detain individuals solely based on their immigration status, Urscheler said.

"Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and local police departments, including Phoenixville’s, are not required to enforce federal immigration laws unless they have a formal agreement to do so," he said.

That agreement is Section 287(g) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which allows ICE "to delegate state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight."

Federal authorities say the program "enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the United States."

Marshall said the department has never entered into a 287(g) agreement and that Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said there are no local police officers in Chester County assigned to ICE task forces. He said de Barrena-Sarobe is expected to release a statement Wednesday regarding ICE in the county.

"The Phoenixville Borough Police Department has never had such an agreement and remains focused on its mission of serving and protecting all members of our community," Urscheler said. "If you or someone you know has questions about immigration status or needs assistance with immigration-related matters, we recommend reaching out to a qualified legal professional or the appropriate federal agencies for guidance."

Marshall reminded those in attendance at the meeting that obstructing and interfering with a federal law enforcement officer is a felony.

"I'm just telling you what the law it," he said. "You don't have to like, you don't have to agree with it. That's where we stand."

State Rep. Chrissy Houlahan said her office is working to gather more information on the local ICE activity Tuesday.

"We cannot continue to fund a rogue agency operating without accountability," she said on social media. "Yesterday, with Phoenixville in mind, I voted again to block funding for DHS."

Patch has reached out to the Phoenixville Liberation Center for more information on Tuesday's incidents and will update the story when additional information is made available.

Editor's note: a previous version of this story incorrectly listed the person detained as an employee of The Foodery. Patch regrets the error.