Montco immigration advocates continue calls for ‘Welcoming Policy’

 Immigration advocates described the uptick in immigration enforcement as a “humanitarian crisis” as they gathered Thursday at the Reformed Church of the Ascension UCC.

As Montco Community Watch, a grassroots organization focused on documenting immigration enforcement activities, revealed members have recorded instances of nearly 100 detentions, they renewed calls for Montgomery County’s 62 boroughs, municipalities and townships to enact  “welcoming policies” of their own in an effort to offer further protections to undocumented immigrants.

Stephanie Vincent, Community for Change Montgomery County’s lead organizer and a Montco Community Watch member, sought to “sound the alarm bell” when addressing reporters at the West Norriton Township-based church of 97 verified detentions and another 30 suspected detentions in recent months.

“Many of these detentions have occurred in Norristown due to its large immigrant population, but this isn’t just happening in Norristown,” Vincent said. “It’s also happening in towns like Abington, Perkiomenville, Souderton, Plymouth Meeting, Ambler, Conshohocken, King of Prussia, to name a few of the places that our neighbors have been taken.”

Montgomery County has an estimated population of 868,742 people, according to July 2024 Census figures, with additional statistics from datausa.io revealing that roughly 10.8 percent of county residents “were born outside of the country” as of 2022. Officials estimated the immigrant population at more than 100,000 people.

Norristown, the county seat, has an estimated 35,769 residents with 32.9 percent of the population identifying as Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.

Vincent and others blasted the conduct of U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement and other federal agents that have had a presence in and around the Montgomery County seat of Norristown over the past year as immigration enforcement became a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s second term. An ICE spokesperson previously declined to disclose to MediaNews Group how many detainments have taken place locally.

In one of the more visible raids, 14 undocumented immigrants were detained in mid-July at a West Norriton Township supermarket as witnesses observed dozens of agents donning masks and military gear swarm the parking lot.

“They drive recklessly in the streets. They impersonate local law enforcement. They routinely break the windows of vehicles that they pull over on traffic stops, which they shouldn’t even be doing as civil law enforcement,” Vincent said. “They wear masks to hide their identity and escape accountability.”

“Their behavior is clear that they are untrained, unprofessional, and cruelty is the point,” Vincent said.

‘Montgomery County deserves nothing less,’ advocates say, renewing calls for local, county legislation

Immigration advocates have repeatedly urged local and county officials to establish more stringent guidelines. Community for Change Montgomery County launched a change.org “Welcoming 62: A County-Wide Call to Protect Our Communities” petition that’s amassed 352 signatures since it was published in July.

“Passing a welcoming [policy] makes clear to local administrations, police departments and the public what will and will not be done when ICE comes to town,” said Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, an Abington resident and participant of Indivisible Greater Jenkintown.

“It provides assurances to immigrants living in our communities that they can count on local governments to address their concerns, helping them feel safer when they need to call the police, and guarantee that their immigration status will not be used against them inappropriately,” she continued.

Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairman Neil Makhija and Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder, both Democrats, have vowed not to deputize local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration enforcement actions and the county has issued a policy on employee communication practices.

County Solicitor Benjamin Field had previously noted that Montgomery County’s “2A County” status does not permit elected officials to “make rules for all the municipalities within our county,” but area residents have nonetheless returned to meeting after meeting for the past several months continuing to ask officials to pass a Welcoming Policy.

“If something is voted on, there’s permanence and accountability,” said Julio Rodriguez, political director for the Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition.

“Last I checked you can’t actually enforce an op-ed,” Wechterman said.

Locally, Ambler and Norristown, along with Abington, Cheltenham, Springfield, and West Norriton townships have established related policies, according to advocates, who emphasize the need for the entire county to stand united on this issue.

“We have to stay organized, and we have to insist that our local government uphold the values we claim to stand for,” Wechterman said.

Rodriguez stressed localities without established legislation offer leeway for officials to “be data sharing, collaborating with ICE” and “holding someone that’s accused of a crime.”

Advocates raised several concerns over gray areas in several municipalities.

“We cannot afford silence, mixed signals or leadership that only reacts once harm has already happened,” Vincent said.

Rodriguez said a right-to-know request revealed “no mention of immigration” in Upper Merion Township’s policy. Spotlighting Lansdale’s “internal policy,” Rodriguez said documentation permits “perimeter support,” an action Rodriguez asserts would be “preventing people from being able to document what’s happening…”

“Recently in Jenkintown, one of the most undoubtedly progressive boroughs in our county, the police chief enacted a despicable policy that put immigrant neighbors at risk, violated the values of the community and shattered trust in local government, and that’s clear,” Wechterman said. “It was only because residents spoke up and came to the commission meeting. Because people demanded answers that … that policy is currently being revised.”

Advocates emphasized their continued dedication to bear witness and help immigrants who continue to live in fear. But speakers maintained the need for partnerships with elected officials that produce tangible progress.

“Montco Community Watch has filled this gap, not because we wanted to, but because the safety of our neighbors demanded it,” Vincent said. “We will continue to document, continue to report, continue to protect and continue to stand with this community, but we are not doing this alone.”

“The path forward is shared, and it begins with transparency, collaboration and the courage to tell the truth about what’s happening here. Montgomery County deserves nothing less,” she continued.