Upper Merion Township Holds Immigration Town Hall

Residents express fears, call for stronger protections for undocumented immigrants

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than 100 people attended an immigration-focused town hall in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, where residents shared their concerns about the ongoing federal immigration crackdown and its impact on the community, particularly on children. Speakers described a climate of fear, with some students missing school due to safety worries. Officials pledged to consider the community's input and work towards appropriate policies.

Why it matters

The town hall highlighted heightened tensions around immigration enforcement in the region, with residents and advocates pushing for stronger local protections for undocumented immigrants. It comes as several nearby municipalities have enacted welcoming resolutions, underscoring the broader debate over the role of local governments in addressing federal immigration policies.

The details

The town hall was organized by Upper Merion Township officials after repeated requests from constituents at recent Board of Supervisors meetings. Residents shared personal accounts of the fear and disruption caused by immigration enforcement activities, with one man describing his 55-day detention despite being a legal resident. Teachers and students also spoke about the impact on children. While most speakers advocated for more safeguards, a few residents urged officials to collaborate with federal authorities to maintain public safety.

  • The town hall was held on Thursday, March 20, 2026.
  • ICE has maintained a presence in the Montgomery County area since early 2025, with advocates recording around 150 detentions since June of that year.

The players

Erica Jones

An Upper Merion Township resident who expressed fear for her own safety and that of her children due to ICE's actions.

Timothy Dooner

A pastor at Valley Forge Presbyterian Church who said the "fear is stealing too many childhoods" and "tearing out our social fabric."

Stephanie Vincent

An Upper Merion Township resident and lead organizer for Community for Change Montgomery County, who has witnessed "unconstitutional actions of ICE agents" in the area.

Greg Philips

The Upper Merion Township Supervisor who interjected when another resident made a controversial comment.

Blaine Leis

The Upper Merion Township Police Chief who stated the department does not participate in federal immigration enforcement or the 287(g) program.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm scared for my safety, but more so my kids' safety. I'm scared of how ICE works. I'm scared of the crossfire. They tend to leave a mess behind whenever they go.”

— Erica Jones, Township resident

“This fear is stealing too many childhoods. Our children can not be sheltered from this reality, and it's stealing too much trust among neighbors, tearing out our social fabric.”

— Timothy Dooner, Pastor, Valley Forge Presbyterian Church

“I have watched firsthand the unconstitutional actions of ICE agents in our towns. I have been there. I have stood on the sidewalk documenting what no one should have to document in an American township.”

— Stephanie Vincent, Upper Merion Township resident and Community for Change Montgomery County organizer

“As a mother, my deepest fear is not being here to raise my children, and now my government is inflicting that exact reality on other mothers and fathers.”

— Dana Thomson, Upper Merion Township resident

“For the first five days at the Federal Detention Center, the water was completely undrinkable. It tasted like it had passed through old, rusty, metallic pipes. I could not drink it. I barely ate. Many days we were served rice, mashed potatoes and oftentimes expired milk.”

— John, Upper Merion Township resident

What’s next

The Upper Merion Township Supervisors pledged to further discuss the community's input and work towards appropriate policies to address the concerns raised at the town hall.

The takeaway

The town hall underscored the deep divisions and heightened tensions around immigration enforcement in the region, with residents and advocates demanding stronger local protections for undocumented immigrants, while a few urged officials to collaborate with federal authorities. The event highlighted the broader debate over the role of local governments in responding to federal immigration policies.