Alleghney County Council voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation bars county employees from cooperating with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
The bill passed 11-3-1 on Tuesday in a marathon meeting lasting more than four hours.
Those in favor were council Vice President John Palmiere and members Alex Rose, Bethany Hallam, Jordan Botta, Robert Palmosina, Paul Klein, Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Dan Grzbek, Nick Futules, Lisa Geiger Shulman and Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling.
Council members dissenting were Aaron Adams, DeWitt Walton and Suzanne Filiaggi.
Council president Patrick Catena, who participated via phone, abstained.
The bill was introduced late January as tensions grew throughout the country over ICE’s actions.
Adams and Filiaggi attempted to add provisions in the bill that would have employees consult with and follow recommendations from the county’s law department before acting on an ICE request, and have the legislation sunset on Jan. 1, 2029. Council rejected the amendments.
The bill, which Hallam co-sponsored with five council colleagues, bars county employees from cooperating with ICE and prohibits ICE or Border Patrol from housing immigrant detainees in the county jail.
“We know the ordinance isn’t perfect,” Futules said. “We know that, but it’s the spirit of this bill that’s important.”
He referenced Allegheny County detainees Jose Flores of Oakmont, Randy Cordova-Flores of Springdale, as well as Futules’ former employee Carlos Marroquin of Springdale Township who is worried about being picked up next even though he is a naturalized citizen from Guatamala.
“On behalf of these three people, I’m a ‘yes’ vote for this bill,” Futules said.
Walton called the ordinance “fundamentally worthless.” He said council should take other action to hold ICE accountable.
“This council should be drafting a resolution to clearly state wherever ICE violates a person’s civil rights, legal rights, that violates the Pennsylvania Criminal Code we arrest their ass,” he said. “Lock them up. That’s what we should be doing.”
Walton later in the meeting reiterated his feelings about ICE not caring about county’s ordinance and the federal agency would continue to operate the way it has been in recent weeks.
The bill prohibits the county to transfer anyone from the county jail into ICE’s custody without a judicial warrant.
The measure further stops federal immigration officers from accessing the county’s databases or other equipment for immigration enforcement operations.
The meeting was livestreamed on the Allegheny County Council TV YouTube page.
Multiple speakers came to the podium imploring council to pass the bill. Public comment about it begins at about the 55 minute mark and continues for about two hours.
Voting on the bill begins near the four-hour mark.
Executive statement
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato released a statement shortly after the meeting.
“Tonight County Council took a step to reinforce existing departmental policies in my administration to not cooperate with ICE, and I look forward to signing their bill shortly,” Innamorato said.
She cautioned that even with the passage of the ordinance, local governments cannot stop ICE’s presence in the area.
“My administration will continue to work alongside immigrant and refugee serving organizations to support their work,” Innamorato said. “We all must stay vigilant in supporting our immigrant and refugee neighbors.
“We all have a role to play in this moment, whether you’re a hotel owner weighing ICE’s request to book a block of rooms, a volunteer joining a rapid response group, or a neighbor supporting an immigrant-owned business.
“Together, we can continue to reinforce that Allegheny County is committed to being a welcoming place that prioritizes the dignity and safety of all our neighbors.”
President threatened
Catena said someone threatened his son and did not attend council’s meeting in person because he needed to be with his family.
He went on to express outrage and condemned threats and any political violence.
“I will not be intimidated,” Catena said. “I will not be bullied, and I will not allow threats against my family to dictate how I serve the people of Allegheny County. However, because a direct threat was made against me and my family today regarding the matter before this very evening, I’m going to abstain from tonight’s vote.
“I refuse to allow anyone to claim that threats or intimidation had any influence over the democratic process or the outcome of my decision.”
Catena reported the threat to law enforcement.
“Public service should never come with the expectation that your family would be threatened,” Catena said.