Northampton County Council passes resolution opposing conversion of warehouses to ICE detention facilities, 5–3 (1 abstention)
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Summary
After a heated debate, Northampton County Council approved a nonbinding resolution opposing the conversion of industrial warehouses into ICE detention facilities, citing humanitarian, infrastructure and tax-revenue concerns; opponents warned the county lacks authority to bar private property transactions and objected to language urging owners not to sell or lease.
Northampton County Council on March 5 passed a resolution opposing the conversion of industrial warehouses into facilities for processing and detaining individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The measure passed 5–3 with one abstention.
Council sponsors said the resolution is a nonbinding expression of the county's stance and raised concerns about reported conditions in some ICE facilities, the strain that mass detention would place on local emergency services and infrastructure, and the potential loss of property tax revenue if privately owned warehouses convert to federal use. ‘‘This resolution is not illegal. It does not violate the constitution,’’ said Council member Jeff Warren while urging colleagues to support the measure.
Opponents, including Council member Fadem, said the county cannot lawfully block permitted uses or tell property owners how to sell their buildings. ‘‘I cannot support a resolution that calls for opposing a lawful land use or urges private property owners to decline lawful transactions,’’ Fadem said during debate. Several members asked whether to remove or soften the clause that asks industry and real-estate leaders to decline sales or leases to the federal government; motions to amend that language failed and the original wording remained.
Supporters pointed to similar actions by other counties and said the resolution echoes the governor's concerns about health, safety and infrastructure impacts. At the close of debate, council recorded a 5–3 vote in favor with one abstention; councilmembers who opposed the measure emphasized that it is nonbinding and that municipalities and zoning boards retain enforcement over building use and permitting.
The resolution directs that a copy be transmitted to the governor of Pennsylvania and Northampton County's federal legislative delegation. The council also discussed follow-up requests for information from the county executive and solicitor about ICE detainer practices, 287(g) agreements and whether the county maintains records of ICE detainer requests.
