UPDATE: Bucks County’s new sheriff, Danny Ceisler, has just announced the immediate end of the county’s participation in the controversial 287g Program with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This decision fulfills a key campaign promise, signaling a significant shift in local immigration policy.
Just sworn in on January 5, 2024, Sheriff Ceisler confirmed that he has placed a moratorium on the 287g program and will officially file the necessary paperwork to withdraw from the federal partnership by the end of the month. This move comes in response to widespread criticism of the program, which was launched under former Sheriff Fred Harran, who lost his reelection bid in November 2023.
The 287g program allowed local law enforcement to act as federal immigration agents, a role that critics argue led to racial profiling and strained relationships between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Harran’s administration trained 16 officers to enforce immigration laws while on duty, raising concerns about the impact on public safety and community trust.
Despite the program’s termination, the legal battle surrounding it continues. The ACLU of Pennsylvania and the Community Justice Project are appealing a Bucks County court ruling that greenlighted the program, asserting that county sheriffs lack the authority to contract with the federal government without county commissioners’ approval. ACLU attorney Stephen Loney emphasized that the civil rights group is awaiting a briefing schedule in the Commonwealth Court, now focusing on the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office and involved deputies.
In a further complication, the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association has filed as an interested party in this ongoing litigation, highlighting the contentious nature of the 287g program across the state. Currently, nine other Pennsylvania sheriff’s offices remain involved in similar programs.
Additionally, a pending appeal in the U.S. Third Circuit Court addresses a $35,000 legal fee awarded to the ACLU after a lower court determined jurisdiction issues with Harran’s case. It remains unclear who will ultimately bear this cost, as Harran’s representation was provided pro bono by a conservative law firm with ties to the previous administration.
Critics of the 287g program, including community advocates and civil rights organizations, argue that it has perpetuated fear within immigrant communities, deterring individuals from reporting crimes or seeking help from law enforcement. They assert that while Harran claimed the program would only target undocumented individuals incarcerated in county jails, its implementation risked broader implications for community trust and civil liberties.
Sheriff Ceisler’s decisive action to end the program marks a pivotal moment for Bucks County, aligning local law enforcement with a more community-focused approach. As the legal proceedings unfold, the impact of this policy shift on both community relations and public safety will be closely monitored.
Residents and community leaders are urged to stay informed as developments continue, with implications for other Pennsylvania counties also under scrutiny. This urgent update signals a move towards re-evaluating local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement, a topic that remains highly contentious and relevant across the nation.
