WILKES-BARRE, PA – Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce and county Chief Solicitor Harry W. Skene have affirmed that approval from the county council was not necessary for a new agreement allowing the District Attorney’s Office to participate in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) partnership program.
The matter of council approval became a point of discussion during Tuesday’s County Council meeting (July 8, 2025), where several concerned citizens publicly urged council members to reject the county’s involvement in the federal partnership. However, District Attorney Sanguedolce proceeded with the agreement, which operates under the Immigration and Nationality Act's 287(g) program. This federal initiative grants ICE the authority to delegate specific immigration officer duties to trained state and local law enforcement agencies. The partnership's stated objective is to enhance the capability of local authorities to identify, arrest, and facilitate the removal of “aliens who undermine the safety of our nation’s communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.” Sanguedolce previously stated that the program would provide resources to combat the fentanyl problem in the county.