CHAMBERSBURG – Franklin County will not become a sanctuary for immigrants in the area illegally. County Commissioners said that Franklin County law enforcement agencies will continue to cooperate with ICE.
Franklin County Jail records show the county has turned hundreds of people with ICE detainers over to that federal agency in the last 10 years.
After confirmation with officials from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Franklin County officials said their policies do not obstruct ICE operations.
In fact, the policies align with the needs of ICE and Franklin County Jail staff communicates with ICE on a daily basis, commissioners said.
“Partnerships such as the one between ICE and Franklin County provide direct contributions to community safety,” said Franklin County Jail Warden Bill Bechtold. “Our relationship with ICE is solid.”
“Franklin County Government has an excellent working relationship with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement through the Franklin County Jail,” said Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller.
“We have transferred 413 individuals of interest into the custody of ICE from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018.”
“Inmates with ICE-issued detainers have never been released to anyone other than ICE”
Commissioner and Prison Board President Bob Thomas
“County policies and practices collaborate with, and do not obstruct, immigration enforcement,” said Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski.
For additional information from ICE contact Public Affairs Officer Adrian Smith in the Philadelphia Field Office by calling (215) 717-4950 or emailing Adrian.Smith@ICE.DHS.GOV.
