Pennsylvania Borough Sticks With ICE Partnership Despite Protests

Mount Holly Springs council rejects motion to rescind agreement allowing police to enforce federal immigration law.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

After a month of consideration, the Mount Holly Springs borough council voted to maintain its partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing the local police department to enforce federal immigration law. The decision came despite protests from residents who argued the partnership could lead to wrongful detentions and lawsuits that would strain the small town's budget.

Why it matters

Mount Holly Springs is the only police department in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania to partner with ICE, raising concerns about racial profiling and the potential for civil rights violations. The debate highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement at the local level.

The details

Under the 287(g) agreement, Mount Holly Springs police officers can question individuals about their immigration status, check federal databases, issue immigration detainers, and hold people until ICE takes custody. Police Chief Tom Day says the partnership will help the department crack down on unqualified truck drivers, many of whom may have language barriers, that damage local roads. Critics argue the state and federal government are already addressing issues with commercial driver's licenses, and that the partnership could lead to costly lawsuits if mistakes are made.

  • The borough council voted in January to partner with ICE.
  • On March 10, 2026, the council rejected a motion to rescind the agreement.

The players

Mount Holly Springs Borough Council

The local governing body that voted to maintain the partnership with ICE despite resident protests.

Pam Still

A borough council member who introduced a motion to rescind the ICE partnership agreement, which was ultimately defeated.

Tom Day

The Mount Holly Springs borough manager and police chief who has promoted the ICE partnership as a way to crack down on unqualified truck drivers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Signing an agreement with ICE is not about hostility. It's about accountability. Illegal truck drivers undercut wages, avoid taxes, and jeopardize both road safety and job opportunities for Americans. We must ensure that every person working on our roads delivering our goods, plays by the same set of rules.”

— Derrick Scheuren, Resident (pennlive.com)

“One single major lawsuit could exceed the annual police allocation, which is one quarter of our town's budget. This is not about ideology. It is not about politics. It's about prudence.”

— Mandy Taylor, Resident (pennlive.com)

What’s next

The ICE training for Mount Holly Springs police officers is expected to begin this spring, after which they will be able to take on the delegated immigration enforcement functions.

The takeaway

The decision by Mount Holly Springs to partner with ICE despite community opposition highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement at the local level, and the potential risks to small municipalities that choose to take on these responsibilities.