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The main entrance of the Hamilton Financial Center in Allentown, Pa., on Jan. 21, 2026. Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations have occupied office space in the county-owned building for nearly three years without a fully executed lease agreement, according to county officials. (Photo: Jai Smith\/Lehigh Daily)<\/p>\n
Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel said the county formally issued a 30-day eviction notice Tuesday and has notified the court of its intent to pursue payment for the outstanding rent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe their presence threatens public safety and public trust,\u201d Siegel said, adding that the county would seek to remove DHS from the building while attempting to recover the money owed.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Siegel cited both the unpaid rent and ICE\u2019s national reputation, arguing that the combination justified the county\u2019s action. Pinsley echoed those concerns, saying that allowing ICE-related agencies to operate in a county building reflects poorly on local government and could undermine community stability.<\/p>\n
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The move immediately drew pushback from other officials, including Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan, who said ICE\u2019s enforcement arm does not operate out of the Hamilton Financial Center. Holihan said the federal agents working there assist his office with investigations into human trafficking and other serious crimes.<\/p>\n
Holihan said the partnership with DHS is critical and offered to cover the rent using drug asset forfeiture funds to keep the office open. Pinsley rejected that approach, saying the work could continue elsewhere but not in a county building if rent is not paid.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate the work being done,\u201d Pinsley said. \u201cBut they don\u2019t need to be in our building, especially if they\u2019re not paying. We\u2019re going to give them a taste of their own medicine. We\u2019re going to deport ICE.\u201d<\/p>\n
U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican whose district includes the Lehigh Valley, criticized Pinsley and Siegel, calling the eviction effort a distraction from law enforcement\u2019s work.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolitics should never get in the way of allowing law enforcement to do its job,\u201d Mackenzie said in a statement, accusing Pinsley of targeting an office that investigates human trafficking and other serious crimes.<\/p>\n
Pinsley, a Democrat running for Congress in the 7th District, has said the situation highlights broader concerns about ICE and DHS practices nationwide.<\/p>\n
According to Pinsley, unpaid rent currently totals $115,425.51, with potential late fees pushing the amount higher. DHS and ICE did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
County Commissioner Ron Beitler also weighed in, noting that DHS has indicated it intends to pay the outstanding balance once a fully executed agreement is in place. While agreeing that the county should collect every dollar owed, Beitler cautioned against framing the eviction as a move against ICE.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvicting DHS from this building is not evicting ICE,\u201d Beitler said in a social media post. \u201cIt is evicting a critically important human trafficking task force.\u201d<\/p>\n
The issue drew public comment at Tuesday\u2019s news conference, including remarks from members of Make the Road Pennsylvania, an immigrant advocacy group. Speaking through a translator, organizer Dahiana Espinal called ICE a rogue agency and urged the county to remove federal immigration enforcement from local government spaces altogether.<\/p>\n
The county is expected to head toward a legal fight over the unpaid rent and the eviction, with officials on multiple sides saying the outcome could have lasting implications for public safety partnerships.<\/p>\n
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