West Chester committee advances ordinance requiring council approval for 287(g) agreements

The West Chester Public Safety Committee voted 3-0 on Feb. 10 to recommend that a proposed ordinance requiring Borough Council approval for any participation in federal 287(g) delegation agreements be considered in a work session.

The ordinance sponsor told the committee the measure would not ban 287(g) participation but would require public disclosure, advance review and a recorded council vote before the borough’s police department could commit resources or training to such an agreement. “Any proposed agreement must be publicly disclosed, reviewed in advance, considered at an open council meeting,” the sponsor said during committee discussion.

Mayor (name not specified) read a written policy at the meeting asserting that the West Chester Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws, does not inquire about people’s immigration status and will not detain anyone based on immigration status. Chief Josh Lee said he issued Special Order 26-01 reiterating those practices and said the department will continue community policing and victim services without regard to immigration status.

Supporters from the public urged the committee to codify protections and to combine the ordinance with practical outreach. Dr. Curry Milad, a West Chester University professor, said the policy statement is welcome but that an ordinance would be “better” and urged action to protect residents who are afraid to leave home. Multiple residents, including those representing immigrant families, described fear and called for measures to prevent use of borough resources for immigration enforcement.

Former Mayor Diane Heron testified against using the ordinance as a vehicle to override operational control. She argued the borough’s home-rule charter vests operational control of the police with the mayor and that the department’s written policy and the chief’s order already make the position public. The sponsor and others countered that entering a 287(g) agreement would obligate borough personnel, training time, equipment and administrative capacity and therefore constitutes a legislative decision about resource allocation that is within council authority.

The committee also discussed implementation questions raised by residents: how the borough would publicize the policy and any ordinance to non-English speakers, and what mechanisms would exist to monitor and enforce officer compliance with departmental policy. The sponsor said the full ordinance text will be provided to attendees after the meeting and that the committee’s intent is to preserve transparency and fiscal accountability while respecting the mayor’s operational role.

Next steps: the committee’s 3-0 recommendation moves the draft ordinance to a work session for further review and potential referral to a public municipal hearing.