During a speech at an annual gathering of progressives on Friday in Philadelphia, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis assured attendees that a pair of proposed ICE detention centers would not be built.
“We’re going to use our power to halt the plans for the proposed ICE warehouse detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties from moving forward,” Davis said. “Because our immigrant communities shouldn’t have to live in fear – fear of going to work, seeking medical care, picking up their kids from school.”
His remarks were made at Netroots Nation’s annual conference on Friday afternoon. The multi-day conference is the largest annual conference for progressives, according to the organization, which provides trainings, resources and connection opportunities “to help progressive activists create a more progressive and just world.”
The debate around proposals for new ICE detention centers has emerged in states across the country, including Pennsylvania.
Several elected officials in the Keystone State have been vocal critics of the plan to build those two, while others have said they were waiting for more information before taking a definitive stance.
Gov. Josh Shapiro met with local officials in February and told them that he would “do everything in his legal and regulatory power” to keep the facilities out of the commonwealth.
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, the Republican candidate for governor, hasn’t clarified her position on ICE detention centers, according to a Spotlight PA report on March 31. She told the outlet that the proposals “warrant serious review” and accused Shapiro’s opposition to them as “posturing.”
