A small-town mayor in Pennsylvania is facing major backlash after sending out a message urging locals to help criminal illegal immigrants avoid deportation.
The alert, labeled “urgent,” was issued by Mayor Shawn Alfonso of West Hazleton Borough and has sparked controversy across the country.
In the notice shared through official channels, the mayor asked residents to report any sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
He claimed that ICE was in the area and could be targeting people who have criminal charges but haven’t been convicted yet. He even warned that this may be an attempt to carry out large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants.
According to the alert, the mayor encouraged people to call the borough office or a local nonprofit if they saw any ICE activity. The message made it clear that the mayor wanted to protect individuals who might be picked up by federal agents.
He also said he believed that this action from ICE was “unlawful” and that people needed to be informed and ready.
This caused a strong reaction online, with many saying the mayor was overstepping his authority and going against federal law. Critics said that encouraging people to hide or protect those facing deportation, especially those with criminal backgrounds, is dangerous and irresponsible.
Supporters of the mayor, however, argue that the alert was meant to protect human rights and prevent discrimination. They say the community has a large immigrant population, and that many people are worried about being unfairly targeted just because of their legal status.
But federal authorities and law enforcement experts don’t agree with this approach. They say local officials should not interfere with immigration enforcement, especially when it comes to individuals who are in the country illegally and have been charged with crimes. They also pointed out that local leaders are expected to support public safety, not obstruct it.
ICE has not confirmed if there was any planned action in West Hazleton. However, the agency did say it prioritizes the arrest of individuals who pose threats to public safety, including those with criminal records or charges.
According to ICE’s website, the agency regularly targets individuals who fall under specific enforcement priorities, such as gang members, drug traffickers, or those with serious offenses.
The controversy has also raised questions about the legal risk the mayor could face. Encouraging people to interfere with federal law enforcement may lead to legal consequences.
Some legal experts say that while local officials have some discretion, actively helping people avoid arrest could be seen as obstruction of justice.
This isn’t the first time local leaders have clashed with federal immigration policies. In several cities across the country, local governments have declared themselves “sanctuary cities,” choosing not to cooperate with ICE.
However, this case is different because the mayor not only spoke against ICE actions but also directly asked the community to take part in reporting ICE’s presence.
The borough council and other local officials have not yet released a joint statement. Some residents have also expressed concern that the mayor’s decision could create tension between the borough and federal authorities. Others fear it might make their community a focus for future federal enforcement actions.
Meanwhile, West Hazleton’s immigrant community has shown mixed responses. While some say they feel protected by the mayor’s stance, others worry that such attention could lead to increased ICE activity in the region.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, hasn’t issued a comment directly related to this case. But according to the official DHS website, their role is to enforce immigration laws and remove individuals who pose a risk to the country’s safety or who violate immigration laws.
As the situation develops, this case has become a flashpoint in the larger debate over immigration enforcement, local authority, and the responsibilities of public officials. Many are watching closely to see if legal action will be taken or if other towns might follow a similar path.
The story continues to unfold, and it’s clear that the mayor’s message has not only shocked residents but also drawn national attention to the complex and often controversial topic of immigration enforcement in America.