West Chester council adopts ordinance requiring council approval before police enter 287(g) ICE agreements

The West Chester Borough Council voted March 18, 2026, to adopt an ordinance requiring borough-council approval before the West Chester Police Department may participate in any immigration-enforcement agreement under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The measure passed following a public hearing and a roll-call vote.

A borough staff member told the council the ordinance is intended to ensure "public input and a vote, an up-or-down vote whether to enter in or not enter into that agreement," and to make any such agreement transparent rather than negotiated unilaterally by a police chief. The staff presentation noted similar events in other Pennsylvania municipalities where agreements were entered without full municipal notice and that some of those matters are subject to litigation.

Supporters framed the ordinance as a local check on federal agreements and a transparency measure. "These aren't strangers we're talking about. They're our neighbors," said a council member who urged the borough to adopt the ordinance based on community ties and concerns about how enforcement affects families. Resident Anne Ellis told the council, "ICE is not welcome here in West Chester," criticizing ICE tactics and saying the borough should protect residents' rights and due process. Diane McGuire, another resident, said she supported the ordinance because it "increases public transparency" and signals that the borough cares for immigrant residents.

During the hearing the presenter reiterated that the ordinance is not an attempt to make West Chester a "sanctuary" jurisdiction, but rather to require that any formal cooperation or agreement be brought before the full council for public discussion and a vote. The presenter cited examples—including litigation in other counties—where courts are still determining whether police chiefs may enter similar agreements without local legislative approval.

The motion to adopt the ordinance was made and seconded, and the clerk called roll; the council voted in favor and the public hearing was closed. The ordinance requires council approval, via ordinance or resolution, before the borough's police department may enter an agreement under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The council closed the public hearing and proceeded to the regular meeting. The ordinance text, notices of publication and the staff slides were offered as part of the meeting record.