Lehigh County officials to warehouse owners: Do not to sell to ICE

Lehigh County officials are urging local warehouse owners to not allow ICE to use their spaces for immigration centers, according to their open letter.

“ICE detention facilities have a well-documented history of serious human rights concerns, including inadequate medical care, allegations of abuse, and deaths in custody; a reprehensible record of cruelty,” the letter said.

Federal authorities have recently purchased warehouse facilities in neighboring counties for the purpose of detaining immigrants, according to the undersigned officials.

The Trump administration purchased a nearly 520,000-square-foot warehouse in Berks County on Feb. 2, according to PennLive.com. Another massive holding facility is in the works in Schuylkill County, officials told WNEP.

ICE officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“The establishment of such a facility in Lehigh County would stand in direct opposition to the values of dignity, humanity, and mutual respect that define our region,” officials said in the letter, which was dated Feb. 6.

The Lehigh County executives who signed the letter include County Executive Josh Seigel, Controller Mark Pinsley and Lehigh County Board of Commissioners Chair Geoff Brace.

In addition, officials in the City of Allentown, City of Bethlehem, Lower Macungie Township and South Whitehall Township were a part of the undersigned.

School board directors from the districts including East Penn, Parkland and Southern Lehigh also signed the statement.

The letter acknowledged the long history the Lehigh County area has with immigrants and urged local industry leaders to keep the community a welcoming, inclusive environment.

“While local officials work to ensure that land use aligns with our regional priorities, goals, and values, federal authority can supersede local zoning, making partnership with the business community essential,” the letter said.

“We encourage businesses to consider that their relationships and long-term interests in Lehigh County extend well beyond any single transaction” said the letter.