Residents, local officials, and community advocates gathered Sunday at the Shartlesville Fire Company for a town hall meeting focused on a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Upper Bern Township.
Organized by the group Ice Out of Upper Bern (IOUB), the event aimed to provide information and bring together community members to discuss potential impacts of converting a warehouse on Mountain Road into a detention center. Speakers included local organizers, elected officials, and candidates for public office, each addressing different aspects of the proposal, including infrastructure, environmental concerns, economic effects, and broader policy implications.
Sue Leiby, a member of Ice Out of Upper Bern, opened the event by welcoming attendees and outlining the purpose of the gathering. “Our group, Ice Out of Upper Bern, is dedicated to the peaceful, the local, and the nonpartisan opposition to the ICE facility that they want to put in out on Mountain Road,” Leiby said.
She emphasized that the group includes individuals from across the political spectrum. “Our group truly is nonpartisan. In our group… we have Republicans, we have Democrats, we have Libertarians, and we have Independents,” she said.
Leiby described the town hall as a community-driven effort to provide information she believes has not been readily available through official channels. “Our purpose today is to bring people together so we can all learn more about this imminent threat that presents itself to us,” she said.
She also expressed frustration over what she described as a lack of information from government officials. “We got absolutely zero zilch, nothing information,” Leiby said, referring to a recent county commissioner meeting. “All they kept saying is, ‘It’s not our bailiwick. We don’t know.’”
Leiby added that the event was organized and funded by local residents. “Our group of neighbors organized and paid for this town hall today out of our own pockets to bring actual facts about this threat that is readily affecting our community,” she said.
Focus turns to cost, traffic, and infrastructure strain
Tina Burns, a candidate for Pennsylvania’s 124th District, spoke about financial impacts and infrastructure concerns tied to the proposed facility, while encouraging residents to stay engaged. “Our tax dollars, those are our tax dollars,” Burns said, questioning the use of public funds tied to the project.
She pointed to the reported purchase price of the property and raised concerns about potential financial losses for the county. “This county alone is losing out… Who’s going to cough up that money? Where is that money coming from?” Burns said.
Burns also discussed the potential strain on local infrastructure, referencing existing traffic issues in the area. “How many of you enjoy when there’s an accident on 78 and they reroute on Old 22?” she said.
She said the addition of a detention facility could significantly increase population and demand on services. “If this facility comes here… what are we going to do? Where is that going to put us with sewer, water, things of that nature?” Burns said.
Burns also raised concerns about increased traffic and service demands tied to population growth. “If this facility comes here, it will grow… what are we going to do?” she said.
In closing, she encouraged residents to remain involved and make their voices heard. “This is not a done deal yet… we need to stop it before it starts,” Burns said.
Concerns raised about infrastructure and local impact
Linda Alspach Heckman, spokesperson for IOUB and a longtime resident of the area, spoke about potential impacts on infrastructure and community resources. “This is our community… This is my family’s and your family’s infrastructure that is going to be affected,” she said.
Heckman pointed to concerns including water and sewer capacity, road conditions, emergency services, and the rural nature of the area. “We have no local EMS. We rely on Hamburg and Strausstown,” she said, adding that the region lacks the resources of larger cities.
She also noted that existing infrastructure is already under strain and could face additional pressure. “The township is struggling. They do not have money… to do repairs on existing projects, get alone what’s going to cause by added truck traffic,” Heckman said.
Heckman encouraged residents to engage with neighbors and elected officials, emphasizing the broad reach of potential impacts. “This is a nonpartisan issue. This affects everybody,” she said.
Environmental and regulatory questions highlighted
Environmental and regulatory concerns were addressed by Gene Stilp, an environmental and social justice advocate, who focused on state oversight of water and sewage systems.
Stilp referenced a March 5 order from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which he said outlines requirements and potential compliance issues for the project.
“DHS and ICE cannot do anything until permits are approved with inspections, and a great deal of time passes,” he said. He also questioned whether federal authorities would comply with state requirements. “One of the questions is if DHS and ICE will object… to Pennsylvania’s jurisdiction over water and sewage,” Stilp said.
Stilp encouraged residents to stay informed and utilize public records requests to track developments. “It’s up to you… to watch every move that is made,” he said.
County commissioner outlines limits of local authority
Berks County Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr. addressed what county officials can and cannot do regarding the proposed facility. “We had just heard about the facility being proposed right before [the February meeting],” Santoni said, explaining that county officials learned of the project after receiving a deed transfer.
Santoni said concerns at the county level include tax revenue loss, infrastructure limitations, and public safety. “You can’t provide the water and sewer that’s necessary for this facility,” he said. “You won’t be able to flush your toilets or use your showers, we’re being told.”
He also cited a lack of clear information from federal agencies. “The call that we had with the Department of Homeland Security was probably the worst phone call I’ve ever been on in my life. They were terribly unprepared. We were asking them simple questions, and they couldn’t answer anything. Now, since then, they’ve gotten back to us on some things. But really, they’re just not being transparent on this whole issue. And that’s a concern for us at the county level,” Santoni said.
While emphasizing that counties have limited authority over zoning decisions, Santoni encouraged residents to remain engaged. “The law in Pennsylvania at the county level is we don’t have the authority to create planning and zoning,” he said, adding that residents should continue contacting elected officials.
Santoni also stated his opposition to the project. “I just cannot support and will not support the facility coming in here. I’ll do everything I can to stop it,” he said.
Economic and workforce impacts discussed
Charles Corbit, representing the Berks Urgent Response Network (BURN), spoke about broader economic and workforce implications. “This is just not an immigration issue,” Corbit said. “It’s really about workforce and economic stability within our region.”
He highlighted the role of immigrant workers in local industries and potential ripple effects if labor participation is disrupted. “Any disruption to that workforce is going to have ripple-on effects… throughout the county,” he said.
Corbit also discussed potential impacts on local businesses, schools, and community organizations, describing the issue as one that could affect “everyday lives” across the region.
Rachel Wallace, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania’s 9th District, framed the issue as a local community matter rather than a partisan one. “This is not about national politics. This is about our local community and what we want for ourselves and the future here,” Wallace said.
She encouraged continued public engagement, citing reports that federal officials may be reconsidering similar projects. “Us being here today… it matters. It makes a difference,” Wallace said.
Community urged to stay involved
Throughout the event, speakers repeatedly encouraged residents to remain engaged, contact elected officials, and stay informed about developments related to the proposal. “Keep showing up. Keep speaking out,” Wallace said.
The town hall concluded with a question-and-answer session, followed by a musical performance by Mennonite Action Lancaster, as organizers emphasized ongoing efforts to monitor the project and advocate for community concerns.