Carlisle council discusses "Community Trust and Local Autonomy" ordinance after police disclosure of ICE contact

Deputy Mayor (unnamed) opened discussion at the Borough of Carlisle workshop on Oct. 1, 2025, on a proposed "Community Trust and Local Autonomy" resolution or ordinance that would limit local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and affirm local handling of community-police interactions. Police Chief Landis told council and the public that Carlisle officers generally do not contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration enforcement but disclosed that on April 28 officers did call ICE in one case involving a juvenile detained for an alleged violation of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code; ICE ultimately took custody of the juvenile.

Why it matters: the proposal would change or formalize how local officers interact with federal immigration authorities, affecting immigrant residents' willingness to report crimes or seek help and prompting debate over home-rule authority and legal risk. Council did not vote Oct. 1; members discussed next steps (adopt a resolution at the next meeting or advertise an ordinance that requires public notice and a later formal vote).

Chief Landis told the council, "Over the past 9 months, I've stated that the Carlisle Police does not call immigration customs enforcement, and I meant that," and acknowledged the April 28 call, saying he first learned of that call Sept. 18…