Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas has expressed openness to discussing a "welcoming county policy" following community concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that resulted in civilian deaths in Minnesota.
During a county commissioners meeting on Wednesday (January 28), Douglas said his office has heard directly from residents expressing "grief, fear, and deep concern" over recent ICE operations in Minneapolis and the deaths of American citizens Alex Pretti and Renée Good.
"These are constituents asking whether what happened there could happen here, and what role, if any, our local government plays in preventing that," Douglas said during the meeting, according to CBS 21.
Douglas described Pretti's death as "horrific" and condemned the Trump Administration's immediate labeling of Pretti as a domestic terrorist "without investigation or facts."
"It feels increasingly inevitable that if we don't draw firm lines, our Commonwealth could face the same reality," Douglas added.
This renewed discussion comes after the Dauphin County commissioners rejected a similar resolution in September 2025 that would have limited local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE. In that vote, Douglas supported the measure while commissioners Mike Pries and George Hartwick voted against it, according to Local 21 News.
"I just want to go on record that if my colleagues are willing to return to the table to discuss a welcoming county policy, one that ensures Dauphin County is not proactively doing the job of the federal government, I'm open to that conversation," Douglas stated.
The push for such policies has gained momentum in Pennsylvania. During a Harrisburg City Council meeting on January 22, Police Commissioner Thomas Carter confirmed that Harrisburg police don't work directly with ICE or share information with them. Several council members indicated they were considering legislation to protect both documented and undocumented residents.
Other Pennsylvania cities including Lancaster, Carlisle, and Reading have already passed similar ordinances limiting local officials' collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
The discussion comes a day after Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed the state was preparing for potential ICE operations. Commissioners Hartwick and Pries did not comment during Wednesday's public meeting on potential ICE operations or preparations.