The Bucks County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Wednesday to oppose the use of any warehouses in Bucks County as federal immigration detention centers — a decision that comes one day after Bensalem High School students walked out of class to protest ICE operations in their community.
The resolution, as reported by LevittownNow.com, was adopted during the commissioners’ regular public meeting. All three commissioners — Democrat Bob Harvie, Democrat Diane Ellis-Marseglia, and Republican Gene DiGirolamo — voted in favor.
The vote followed reports that the Department of Homeland Security had been exploring warehouse locations in Bensalem Township and Middletown Township for potential ICE detention facilities. Commissioner Harvie said ICE had attempted to acquire a warehouse in the Linconia section of Bensalem, but the property owner refused to engage. DiGirolamo said the reports he received about both locations seemed “pretty credible.”
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said his office contacted DHS and received assurances that the agency has no plans to open a detention facility in Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District, which includes all of Bucks County. Fitzpatrick said he would oppose any such effort.
The commissioners’ resolution echoes a February 12 letter from Governor Josh Shapiro opposing planned ICE detention facilities at warehouse sites in Berks and Schuylkill counties. DHS has already purchased a former Big Lots warehouse in Tremont Township and Schuylkill County for potential use as a detention center.
DiGirolamo made the county’s position clear:
“Bucks County is not a county that needs or wants a detention facility. It is not appropriate for our county, not at all.”
The Bensalem Connection
The commissioners’ vote comes as ICE enforcement has become a central issue in Bensalem. On Tuesday, approximately 30 to 40 Bensalem High School students walked out of class to protest ICE operations, marching from the school to the Bensalem Center along Hulmeville Road.
Among the demands outlined by students was that no cooperation agreements exist between local authorities — including the Bensalem Police Department, the school district, and the Bucks County Commissioners — and ICE. The revelation that ICE had reportedly pursued a detention facility in Bensalem itself adds a new dimension to those concerns.
For full coverage of LevittownNow.com’s reporting, read their article here.
Bensalem Weekly’s ongoing coverage of the BHS student walkout:
- Bensalem High Principal Responds to Planned Student Walkout
- BHS Students Divided on How to Protest Tuesday as Security Concerns Mount
- Bensalem High Students Walk Out Over ICE, March Through Township
- BHS Principal Per Responds to Student Walkout
