State College Borough Council Moves to Pass Ordinance Limiting Cooperation with ICE

State College Borough Council is gearing up to take a stand against ICE’s abuses by considering an ordinance aimed at protecting immigrant residents from local cooperation with the agency. Council President Evan Myers announced on Monday that the proposal, still being finalized, will appear on the agenda by July 6.

The push for this ordinance follows months of vocal protests and public comments demanding a formal prohibition on collaboration with ICE. Myers made clear the council’s position: “I and this council have said over and over again that we stand squarely on the side of immigrants and against the thuggish actions of ICE.”

Earlier attempts to pass a resolution calling for ICE reform stalled amid concerns that symbolic gestures without enforceable measures might backfire and endanger the very people they sought to protect. Undeterred, the council has since focused on drafting an ordinance with real legal force tailored to Pennsylvania’s jurisdiction.

The urgency behind this effort intensified after a Washington Post report detailed ICE detention guards’ use of chemical agents and physical force against detainees demanding basic necessities like water and medical care. For many in State College, this was a stark reminder of the ongoing cruelty inflicted by ICE nationwide.

Local immigrant rights groups and protesters have not held back in their demands. On April 20, demonstrators marched to the municipal building and disrupted a council meeting, vocally condemning officials they accused of enabling ICE. Flyers labeling borough leaders as “aids and abets ICE terror” appeared on doors and vehicles, sparking tension and accusations of misinformation.

Council President Myers and Mayor Ezra Nanes, both targeted by the flyers, pushed back against what they called a false narrative. Nanes emphasized that such attacks only deepen community divisions and hinder the vital work needed to protect immigrant residents.

Meanwhile, advocates like Rev. Tracy Sprowls of the Centre County Rapid Response Network praised the council for moving forward. “I want to just express my appreciation for listening to us continuously over the last few months about our concern for the immigrant population and for the ordinance that we would like passed,” she told the council.

Speakers also pointed to other Pennsylvania cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia that have enacted immigrant-protection policies, urging State College to join the growing list of municipalities standing up to ICE.

Resident Nicholas Dudek captured the sentiment driving this push: “In a moment like this, we can’t turn a blind eye and just keep our heads down. Whether it’s now or later, it will be our turn to be targeted... The only way to keep safe is to stand up against the threats to our community.”

State College’s move to codify limits on ICE cooperation marks a crucial step in resisting federal immigration overreach and protecting vulnerable neighbors from the agency’s brutal tactics. As the ordinance heads to the council floor, the eyes of activists and officials alike will be watching closely.