SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Ice raids have many communities facing concerns and uncertainty. In Scranton, Mayor Paige Cognetti (D) is closely monitoring the situation.
28/22 News Reporter Kathryn O'Leary spoke with her about what she's hearing and what residents should know.
Reports of ICE activity, both confirmed and unverified, are fueling concern across the country.
Claims of ICE raids circulating in northeastern PA
Mayor Cognetti says she's staying informed, working with local and national leaders to monitor the situation here in Scranton.
As reports of ice activity surface nationwide, Mayor Cognetti says she is monitoring the situation and gathering insight.
"I'm in touch with mayors across the nation on what is happening and not happening in their communities." said Mayor Cognetti.
She's also in regular contact with local organizations and community partners to assess whether ICE has been active in Scranton.
""We saw last week that there was a hoax, there's been hoaxes all over the country. There's people fear-mongering and we saw the community come together against that last week. I've gotten calls that ice may be here or there I don't know any of those to be true at this point, but we continue to monitor what happening in other cities," stated Mayor Cognetti.
While concerns grow, the mayor is reminding residents that the city of Scranton and Lackawanna County are not sanctuary jurisdictions.
"Its important to note too that Scranton is not a sanctuary city, Lackawanna County is not a sanctuary county so if ICE comes in with lawful warrants, they will execute those warrants," added Mayor Cognetti.
Cognetti also emphasized that Scranton Police are not an extension of ICE.
"The Scranton Police Department is not an arm of ICE, at the same time, we would never stand in the way of the lawful procedures of the federal ICE agency," explained Mayor Cognetti.
Mayor Cognetti also said that school districts, nonprofits, and businesses have rights and should contact a lawyer if a non-lawful warrant is presented to them.
