Centre officials respond to being on DHS sanctuary jurisdiction list
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) included Centre County and State College in a list of places violating federal law, but even after the list was taken down, it has officials wondering why they were on it in the first place.
The DHS issued a list last week detailing several locations in Pennsylvania that were 'deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens.' But, going to the list now brings up a page not found notification.
Centre County's commissioners have not forgotten they were on that list and wonder what got them on it to begin with.
Centre County officials respond to delay on Rockview, Quehanna closure decision
'We haven't heard from the federal government in terms of why we were put on the list,' Commissioner Amber Concepcion said. 'There were a wide variety of jurisdictions that also don't know why they were put on the list.'
According to the DHS, every place on the list will receive 'formal notification of its non-compliance,' but the commissioners say they have not gotten any such communication.
The DHS described the jurisdictions on the list as protecting 'dangerous criminal illegal aliens from facing consequences,' and putting law enforcement in danger. Commissioners do not believe this describes the county or State College.
'To the best of our knowledge, we're complying with all the relevant federal laws based on what counties do,' Commissioner Chair Mark Higgins said.
Commissioners say they have been in contact with elected officials, and while they have been 'helpful,' how the two locations ended up on the list is still a mystery to them. The DHS has not said when or if the list will be going back up.
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