Lancaster’s Hispanic community concerned over potential ICE operations
Updated: 9:02 PM EST Jan 27, 2026
Following a large-scale ICE operation in Minnesota, Lancaster’s Hispanic community is expressing concerns about potential immigration enforcement actions in Pennsylvania, including the Susquehanna Valley.Esther DeWoody, founder and president of the Lancaster Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said, “Like many people, we’re aware of the increased national immigration enforcement activity, and that naturally raises concerns in the community.”In Lancaster, unease is growing over where ICE agents may head after Minnesota. Celso Mesias, chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee Latino Caucus, said, “We don’t want them in Pennsylvania.”Hispanic community leaders in the city and across the county are expressing shock over recent events around the country. Mesias, who has been in the United States for more than 30 years, said, “I’ve never seen these terrible actions from the state, from the government, done to our own citizens, American citizens.”While it remains unclear where ICE may head next, leaders say they are prepared if agents end up in Pennsylvania. Mesias said, “We are really very concerned, but we are ready to take the streets and protest, and we are ready for that; our community can feel it.”DeWoody emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “First and foremost, it’s about the people, the families, the workers, the neighbors who live and work in Lancaster. Our role is to encourage them to stay calm, so that people feel safe, going to work, running their businesses, and caring for their families.”Meanwhile, DeWoody and Mesias believe hope is the best tool. Mesias said, “What we want is just peace, and to let us do as we’ve always done for decades in this country: work hard for a great country.”
LANCASTER, Pa. —
Following a large-scale ICE operation in Minnesota, Lancaster’s Hispanic community is expressing concerns about potential immigration enforcement actions in Pennsylvania, including the Susquehanna Valley.
Esther DeWoody, founder and president of the Lancaster Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said, “Like many people, we’re aware of the increased national immigration enforcement activity, and that naturally raises concerns in the community.”
In Lancaster, unease is growing over where ICE agents may head after Minnesota. Celso Mesias, chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee Latino Caucus, said, “We don’t want them in Pennsylvania.”
Hispanic community leaders in the city and across the county are expressing shock over recent events around the country. Mesias, who has been in the United States for more than 30 years, said, “I’ve never seen these terrible actions from the state, from the government, done to our own citizens, American citizens.”
While it remains unclear where ICE may head next, leaders say they are prepared if agents end up in Pennsylvania. Mesias said, “We are really very concerned, but we are ready to take the streets and protest, and we are ready for that; our community can feel it.”
DeWoody emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “First and foremost, it’s about the people, the families, the workers, the neighbors who live and work in Lancaster. Our role is to encourage them to stay calm, so that people feel safe, going to work, running their businesses, and caring for their families.”
Meanwhile, DeWoody and Mesias believe hope is the best tool. Mesias said, “What we want is just peace, and to let us do as we’ve always done for decades in this country: work hard for a great country.”