ICE in Columbia? Resident questions the borough’s cooperation policy

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

At the Columbia Borough Council meeting on January 27, 2026, resident Lucian Selman asked about the borough’s stance on enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following recent events in Minneapolis.

Selman (at podium): “Does Columbia Borough Council currently have any agreements in place to collaborate with ICE immigration enforcement?”

“Does Columbia Borough Council currently have any agreements in place to collaborate with ICE immigration enforcement?” Selman asked. Eric Kauffman, council president, said no formal agreements exist beyond a resolution passed in 2024. “We passed a resolution. We do follow federal law,” Kauffman said. Heather Zink, council vice president, said, “No, we do not have anything in place.”

Discussion of Columbia Borough Council’s stance on cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (Submitted video)

Selman asked if council planned to reconsider its position on ICE cooperation due to the recent “murders” of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Mayor Leo Lutz replied that it hasn’t been proven that there were any murders committed but didn’t address the question. 

Byers (left): “As far as the resolution from two years ago, I’d be willing to read over it and consider repealing it.”

Councilman Ethan Byers suggested revisiting the borough’s resolution. “As far as the resolution from two years ago, I’d be willing to read over it and consider repealing it,” Byers said. “When I read over that resolution previously, it seemed like it was taking quite a strong stance, especially in response to Lancaster City becoming a sanctuary city.” He suggested the borough could consider adopting policies similar to Lancaster City’s.

Columbia Borough’s 2024 resolution “declaring local law enforcement will fully cooperate and coordinate with any necessary external law enforcement agencies when encountering undocumented individuals.”

The resolution, passed 6-0 by borough council at its March 12, 2024 meeting, expresses support for ICE and suggests that more immigrants will put a higher strain on social services. Then-Council President Heather Zink defended the declaration as a way to signal to citizens “where we stand.” Zink and then-Borough Manager Mark E. Stivers signed the resolution. 

Despite the resolution’s strict language, officials have noted that Columbia police lack authority and have no intent to engage in proactive immigration enforcement activities. However,  the resolution does state: “…local law enforcement will fully cooperate and coordinate with any necessary external law enforcement agencies when encountering undocumented individuals.”

Law enforcement agencies nationwide and in Pennsylvania have partnered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through the 287(g) program, according to wgal.com.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Susquehanna Regional Police, Northwest Regional Police, Manheim Borough Police and Quarryville Police departments have signed agreements to participate in ICE’s task force program, according to LNP/LancasterOnline. 

In 2026 alone, at least six people were killed by ICE or in ICE custody. The most recent victims include citizens Renee Good, who was killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis; Alex Pretti, who was killed in Minneapolis by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents. (CBP and ICE both operate under the authorization of the Department of Homeland Security.) The killings prompted the state to deploy the National Guard to protect citizens. Keith Porter was killed in Los Angeles, California by an off-duty ICE agent. ICE has also been accused of racial profiling and violating citizens’ constitutional rights.

Background on Columbia’s Immigration Stance
Some of the following information draws on a 2024 article by Tim  Stuhldreher in One United Lancaster:

In 2024, Columbia was recognized as the first municipality in the area to adopt a “non-sanctuary” resolution, which pledges cooperation with ICE. The measure was touted by council as a rebuke to Lancaster City’s “Welcoming City” ordinance enacted earlier that year.

Lancaster City Council President Amanda Bakay previously expressed disappointment with Columbia’s resolution, calling it based on misinformation about Lancaster’s ordinance. Lancaster’s policy bars city officials and police from inquiring about immigration status except when required by law or court order.

Columbia Borough’s resolution reads as follows:

“WHEREAS, Illegal immigration has become a significant issue along the borders of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Cities that have declared themselves a sanctuary for undocumented individuals have experienced great financial strain on social services; and

WHEREAS, Sanctuary cities have experienced an increase in migrant crimes; and

WHEREAS, Lancaster City recently enacted Ordinance 01-2024 to codify a policy adopted in 2019 that will prohibit city officials from inquiring about a person’s immigration status and from sharing information regarding that status with federal immigration authorities, effectively declaring itself a “Welcoming” or sanctuary city; and

WHEREAS, The federal government has the authority and responsibility to enforce immigration laws

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Borough Council of the Borough of Columbia does hereby declare local law enforcement will fully cooperate and coordinate with any necessary external law enforcement agencies when encountering undocumented individuals.

ADOPTED AND RESOLVED, by the Borough of Columbia in lawful session duly assembled on the XX day of March 2024.”