Delaware County residents have been speaking up at county council meetings, demanding that officials explain why county policies give sanctuary to illegal immigrants.
Now, the federal Department of Homeland Security has named Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties as sanctuary communities that attempt to hinder enforcement of immigration law and the lawful efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Philadelphia is also on the list.
While the Democratic majorities who govern the three suburban communities have been open in their opposition to increased immigration enforcement and cooperation between local police and ICE, they all also deny they are sanctuary jurisdictions.
The Department of Homeland Security released a formal list late last week.
Delaware County Democrats immediately pushed back.
“The county has not received anything more formal than finding out it was included on a list published (Thursday) on a DHS website,” said Council Chair Monica Taylor, Ph.D. “It’s important to note that there is no agreed-upon definition of a ‘sanctuary’ county or municipality, and the county has never formally declared itself to be one. This council—and the whole of Delaware County’s government—exists for one reason: to serve every single resident who calls Delaware County home. We are not an arm of the federal or state government and will not be bullied or harassed away from our core mission of directly serving our residents.”
County officials also claimed they comply with all federal laws and are unaware of any threatened grants or contracts. They also say they are “in compliance with all terms of grants and contracts in which we are a party.”
However, in February, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer (D), now running for Common Pleas judge, said that he would not help ICE enforce the law regarding “peaceful” illegal immigrants.
“After the concerned citizens of Delaware County were gaslit for over a year by the Delaware County Council about the sanctuary status of Delco, it is great to see that we were proven correct by our federal government. Hindsight is always 2020, and this shows our council lacks any integrity,” said Charlie Alexander, one of the most outspoken residents.
President Donald Trump was elected, in part, on a promise to deport the upwards of 10 million illegal immigrants who flooded into the country while former President Joe Biden was in office.
DHS noted, “These municipalities are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws, endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.”
“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”
Local supporters of immigration law enforcement greeted the news with praise.
Joy Schwartz, previously a Republican council candidate, said, “We are all very aware that the tsunami of illegal migrants that entered our county during the Biden years has overwhelmed and depleted our resources in healthcare, education, and law enforcement. Don’t even get me started on the added tax burden!” Delaware County Council increased taxes by 23 percent for 2025.
Haverford resident Sharon Devaney said an illegal immigrant “t-boned” her car in 2017.
“I have had four surgeries so far, and no justice because Delco is a sanctuary,” said Devaney. “I am permanently handicapped.”
Once she started speaking out about the crash, her identity was “hacked,” and “my life was destroyed.” County council members refused to believe her, even though she gave them documents detailing the accident. The driver who rammed her car had no license, insurance or green card, she said.
“The cops were horrified,” said Devaney. “They said they couldn’t call ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) because it was a sanctuary.”
An April report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) found the collar counties and Philadelphia were in violation by not holding detainees in their jails for ICE to pick up. Instead, immigration officers must go out into communities to detain them, which places the officers and innocent bystanders in jeopardy.
Megan Alt, a spokesperson for Montgomery County, did not respond to a request for comment Friday. However, Commissioners Chair Neil Makhija posted to X, “Montgomery County was named on the administration’s target list today. Thankfully, the Constitution protects our right to be a welcoming, safe community—and we’ll keep investing in mental health, housing, and real public safety.”
Philadelphia is not a sanctuary city. We are a welcoming city,” said city Solicitor Renee Garcia. “We are aware that the Department of Homeland Security has published a list of jurisdictions across the country, including Philadelphia and other cities and counties in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia has not received any formal notification from DHS. We will review any communications carefully.”
Under the previous mayor, Jim Kenney (D), Philadelphia was openly a sanctuary city. Kenney famously danced in 2018 after a judge upheld the city’s sanctuary city status.
“Chester County is surprised that it has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security as a sanctuary county and questions how its policy differs from other Pennsylvania counties not on the list,” said spokeswoman Rebecca Brain. “The county has never approved a sanctuary policy, nor taken any action to identify as a sanctuary county and has no intention to do so.
“Chester County does nothing to impede or prevent federal law enforcement authorities from performing their job duties, and the county maintains a cooperative interaction with ICE officials in these matters. As county officials address issues that relate to immigration, they will adhere to important core principles: fairness to Chester County residents, due process for all, and the dignity and respect every person deserves.”
Bucks County is the only Delaware Valley county not on the DHS list.
That may be because Sheriff Fred Harran signed an agreement to cooperate with ICE under its 287 (g) program. However, the Democratic majority commissioners recently voted to rescind that agreement.
