Rose De La Luz, of Norristown, speaks during a May 15, 2025 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting. (Credit: Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
The impacts of President Donald Trump’s federal immigration crackdown were seen firsthand during a recent Montgomery County Commissioners meeting.
Norristown resident Rose De La Luz broke down in tears while addressing county commissioners during a public comment session last week as she shared her own experience as a number of residents urged officials to enact legislation to protect immigrants.
De La Luz, a candidate who ran in the Norristown Municipal Council at-large primary race, told county commissioners that on May 1 her fiancé “got stopped” by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement representatives. “They took my cousin just because he didn’t have legal status.”
“He doesn’t have tattoos. He just got here. There’s nothing bad,” she said.
“The only reason I’m here is to let you know this is happening right here,” De La Luz said, adding “it’s all happening right here, and there is no warrants, there’s nothing.”
Trump’s issuing of immigration-related executive actions and directives have communities on edge. De La Luz said she’s observed undercover ICE officers in and around Norristown.
“It’s crazy living in fear, and especially for us. We’ve always been scared … but more with this administration we’re not sure what’s going to happen,” she said.
“Thank you for your bravery,” replied Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairman Neil Makhija, who commended De La Luz for speaking out.
Makhija and Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder, both Democrats, have lent their support to immigrants emphasizing the important role they play in the community. Officials recently hired former ACLAMO CEO and Executive Director Nelly Jiménez-Arévalo to serve as the county’s new director of immigrant affairs. Jiménez-Arévalo assumed responsibilities related to immigration through advocacy, resource coordination and policy development to immigrants, refugees and those new to the county.
Makhija and Winder penned an opinion piece opposing a stipulation of the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the 287(g) program. According to ICE’s website, the action permits “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight.”
“We will not sign a 287(g) agreement, and our stance is rooted in constitutional principle, public safety, and fiscal responsibility,” Makhija and Winder said in a joint statement.
Makhija and Winder addressed the publication during the May 15 board meeting, stressing their obligation as public officials “to represent our citizens and our residents as best as we can.”
“We have the option not to be commandeered or essentially deploy our resources in the name of what we view as a misguided federal policy that does not serve the interests of Montgomery County residents…” Makhija said.
Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello, the board’s minority Republican commissioner, was absent from the May 15 board meeting, but previously disclosed his stance on immigration to MediaNews Group, stating he “[doesn’t] support the harboring of illegals,” but is “supportive of immigrants who come through the legal channels.”
Local government and education officials in the county seat have shared their immigration-related policies in recent months. Montgomery County officials have noted conversations happening behind closed doors, but hinted last week the “county is going to be working on a number of policies,” which Makhija said, are expected to involve further brainstorming, counsel and dialogue with county agency department heads.
“It’s going to take time to do it right, but it’s our view in Montgomery County … immigrants are essential to our community, are part of the fabric of our community and our county would simply not be where it is today without our valuing of immigrant communities,” Makhija said.
Montgomery County has an estimated population of 868,742 people, according to July 2024 Census figures, with additional statistics from datausa.io revealing that roughly 10.8 percent of county residents “were born outside of the country” as of 2022. Makhija estimated the county’s immigrant population at more than 100,000 people.
A public meeting in January at Centro de Cultura Arte Trabajo y Educacion drew crowds of around 400 people in fear of the current political climate who aimed to learn more about their rights. Also known as CCATE, advocates have held several forums focusing on health and small business to provide more information to residents in the area.
“They’re afraid to take their kids to school because ICE [is] around Norristown,” said Denisse Agurto, executive director of Unides Para Servir.
The May 15 meeting had more than a dozen people signed up for public comment, with a majority speaking on immigration matters. While many applauded Makhija and Winder for their op-ed, others returned to continue calling on them to pass a “Welcoming Act” policy.
“Statements and promises are no longer enough. Montgomery County needs a binding ordinance not just an op-ed,” said Kate Firestone, membership director of the PA Immigration Coalition. She added that “the county’s current stance to reject ICE collaboration unless there’s a judicial warrant is commendable, but without an ordinance or policies, it’s a voluntary act, not a legal obligation.”
Residents have attended several public meetings in recent months urging more stringent action.
“Now more than ever, we need to stand united to support immigrants in Montgomery County,” said Jacob McCrea, of Norristown.
“We’re asking you to pass this welcoming policy for our immigrants in all the county,” Agurto said.
In a letter obtained by MediaNews Group, advocates requested the following protections:
Acknowledging community concerns, Winder enlisted solicitor Benjamin Field to provide some legal understanding of the matter, asking him “are we legally able to pass an ordinance?”
Field noted that Montgomery County’s “2A County” status does not permit elected officials to “make rules for all the municipalities within our county.”
“I just don’t want there to be this impression that we aren’t working to advance the ball,” Winder said. “There are other stakeholders though in Montgomery County that can play a role in standing up for immigrant communities.”
Makhija agreed.
“Until there is a change in federal policy, no one is going to feel comfortable, and we should just acknowledge that reality,” Makhija said. “Many of the policies people are advocating for today or other days, they can be helpful for a small subsect of immigrants, a very small subsect, but we want to have policies that are comprehensive and help as many people in the community as possible.”
Area residents pressed elected officials to do more.
Cyndy Levy, of Lower Gwynedd Township, applauded the county commissioners for their words and called them courageous. “It takes courage to state that in these times.” However, she said people have had some difficulties discerning their meaning. Levy said she’s shared the piece with others, and “the response I get is so what does that mean? What’s that going to mean? What difference is that going to make? I think this is a real issue.”
“I hear you talking, and I’ve heard you before, I’ve heard other stuff about the complexities of local government, of county government, but it becomes part of the problem because it’s opaque even to people who are very very interested in this topic,” she continued. “So who do we have to see now? Who should we be talking to? Who are the people who are responsible for what is happening and what may happen in the future? It’s difficult and challenging for you. It’s really hard for us, and that’s an issue.
“The other thing I’ve heard a couple of people mention is the urgency,” Levy said. “It’s not just things that might happen, and you’ve heard today, these things are happening now, and I don’t know that anything that’s been said so far is really going to change the fear that is in our community, the uncertainty that is in our community … the urgency, as complex as it is, is really there. Somehow we have to together find ways to move forward in meaningful ways, explain them clearly and not just acknowledge that it’s difficult, and it will take time.”
