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Residents press Harrisburg council to cut cooperation with ICE, raise housing and contractor inclusion concerns
Summary
A series of public commenters urged city leaders to adopt a non‑cooperation posture toward federal immigration enforcement, demanded data‑privacy and warrant protections, and raised housing code and minority‑contractor inclusion issues; council directed follow‑ups and referrals to staff.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Dozens of residents used the City Council public‑comment periods on Jan. 20 to press elected officials for policy and operational changes on immigration enforcement, housing code enforcement and local contracting.
Multiple speakers called on Harrisburg to adopt a formal non‑cooperation agreement with federal immigration enforcement and to bar local use of city resources in immigration operations. "We need the city of Harrisburg to formally and permanently cut all ties with immigration enforcement," one commenter said, urging council to prohibit voluntarily sharing information and to require judicial warrants before any DHS or ICE entries.
Commenters cited incidents they described as examples of excessive force and improper ICE tactics and referenced reports and memos alleging decreased ICE training and the use of administrative warrants. Several residents said they fear raids and that such enforcement harms schools, businesses and community trust.
Speakers also raised local concerns including: exposed asbestos in a rental unit and difficulty accessing code enforcement remedies (a tenant asked the city for help and was referred to codes staff and Central Penn Legal Services); requests for more transparent redevelopment authority listings so small, local bidders can find opportunities; and multiple calls to prioritize minority and women‑owned contractors on city projects.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and asked staff and committees to follow up. President Hill and staff offered to meet with individuals after the meeting on specific housing complaints; multiple speakers asked the district attorney and other law‑enforcement leaders to clarify enforcement positions.
No formal ordinance or policy was adopted during the meeting; several commenters asked the council to draft legislation and to publicly disclose any ICE requests when legally permitted.
