{"id":2499408,"date":"2025-10-15T19:23:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T23:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pennsylvania-judge-upholds-a-sheriffs-ice-cooperation-agreement\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T19:23:47","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T23:23:47","slug":"pennsylvania-judge-upholds-a-sheriffs-ice-cooperation-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pennsylvania-judge-upholds-a-sheriffs-ice-cooperation-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania judge upholds a sheriff\u2019s ICE cooperation agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpennsylvania-judge-upholds-a-sheriffs-ice-cooperation-agreement%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2499408&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Pennsylvania judge has upheld Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran&#8217;s authority to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a 287(g) agreement, dismissing a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that sought to block his participation in the federal immigration enforcement program. The court ruled that the ACLU plaintiffs lacked legal standing and failed to demonstrate any concrete harm from the sheriff&#8217;s cooperation with ICE.the judge also steadfast that the memorandum of understanding signed by Harran did not require approval from county commissioners, affirming that Pennsylvania sheriffs are independent constitutional officers who can work directly with federal agencies. Harran stated that the agreement would be used to check immigration status for individuals in custody or wanted by his office, emphasizing it as a public safety measure. The ACLU condemned the ruling and vowed to appeal,arguing that the sheriff lacked authority to enter into such an agreement. The decision was praised by America Frist Legal,a conservative group representing Harran,as a victory for law enforcement and the rule of law.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pennsylvania judge upholds county sheriff&rsquo;s ICE cooperation agreement<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2372707\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pennsylvania\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pennsylvania<\/a> judge upheld Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran&rsquo;s authority to cooperate with federal immigration authorities on Wednesday, dismissing an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/aclu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Civil Liberties Union<\/a> lawsuit that sought to block his participation in a federal enforcement program.<\/p>\n<p>Judge Jeffrey Trauger of the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County ruled that the ACLU&rsquo;s plaintiffs lacked standing and failed to show any concrete harm from the sheriff&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.gov\/identify-and-arrest\/287g\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">287(g) agreement<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a>. The court found the claims were based on &ldquo;subjective fears of possible future incidents,&rdquo; noting that one plaintiff &ldquo;alleges no actual incidents where he or others he knows were a victim of any of these unlawful events.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/3852612\/landry-order-moratorium-new-carbon-capture-project\/\">Landry orders moratorium on new carbon capture projects, industry pushes back<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/economy\/3852603\/ems-worker-petition-dismiss-teamsters-representation\/\">EMS worker petitions to dismiss Teamsters representation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/education\/3852591\/parent-upset-schools-push-controversial-video-book-immigrants\/\">Parents upset over two schools pushing controversial video, book related to immigrants<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The ACLU, which filed a lawsuit in June, argued that Harran exceeded his authority by signing the agreement without county commissioners&rsquo; consent. The court rejected that argument, citing similar findings from a New York appellate decision that found memorandums of understanding like the one at issue to be &ldquo;unenforceable contracts.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/media.aflegal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/15143356\/Decision-Make-the-Road-States-Inc.-et-al-v.-Harran-et-al-10-15-2025-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">13-page decision<\/a>, Trauger concluded that &ldquo;none of the Plaintiffs have proper legal standing to bring this action under Pennsylvania law,&rdquo; adding that even if they could, the memorandum of understanding signed by Harran &ldquo;is not an enforceable contract and therefore [was] not subject to the approval of the Bucks County Commissioners.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The ruling affirms that sheriffs in Pennsylvania are independent constitutional officers who may coordinate directly with federal agencies. Harran&rsquo;s agreement with ICE allows his deputies to perform certain immigration enforcement functions under federal supervision, part of a long-standing framework known as the 287(g) program.<\/p>\n<p>Harran has said he intends to use the agreement to check the immigration status of people already in custody or those wanted by his office. In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buckscounty.gov\/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1439\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statement<\/a> posted online, he called the ruling a victory for residents and validation of what he described as a &ldquo;common-sense&rdquo; approach to public safety that leverages partnerships and federal resources.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This decision affirms our ability to use this simple tool to ensure individuals who commit crimes in our county are held fully accountable &mdash; regardless of their immigration status,&rdquo; Harran said.<\/p>\n<p>The ACLU strongly condemned the decision and <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">vowed to appeal, saying in a statement to the&nbsp;<em>Washington Examiner<\/em>&nbsp;that it<\/span> &ldquo;undermines our values, our laws, and our humanity.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This fight is far from over,&rdquo; said Stephen Loney, senior supervising attorney at the ACLU of Pennsylvania. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s unfortunate that the judge in this case failed to appreciate what the law clearly states. The sheriff does not have the authority to sign onto a 287(g) agreement with ICE. We will appeal this decision, and in the meantime, we will continue to work to hold Sheriff Harran accountable for the rule of law.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The decision for now is a win for America First Legal, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cbs-sued-by-seal-team-writer-who-claims-heterosexual-white-men-need-extra-qualifications\/\" title=\"CBS faces ... by &#039;SEAL Team&#039; writer alleging bias against heterosexual, white men\">conservative legal group founded<\/a> by President Donald Trump&rsquo;s senior adviser Stephen Miller, which represented Harran in partnership with the law firm Zimolong. AFL said the outcome reinforces that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >local law enforcement agencies<\/a> can assist ICE in removing dangerous criminals and ensuring public safety.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a decisive victory for the rule of law and for every law enforcement officer who refuses to bow to political pressure,&rdquo; said Gene Hamilton, president of AFL. &ldquo;Radical activists tried to weaponize the courts to stop a sheriff from enforcing the law. The court saw through it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3851930\/house-democrats-eye-measures-condition-dhs-funding-to-ice-reforms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HOMELAND SECURITY DEMOCRATS EYE MEASURES TO CONDITION DHS FUNDING TO ICE REFORMS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AFL claimed the case has &ldquo;sweeping implications,&rdquo; saying the ACLU and its affiliates &ldquo;attempted to strip an elected sheriff of his authority to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-the-land-of-lambeau-gov-tony-evers-is-the-no-1-dork\/\" title=\"In The Land Of Lambeau, Gov. Tony Evers Is The No. 1 Dork\">assist federal immigration officials<\/a>.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>The group said the court&rsquo;s ruling &ldquo;reaffirms that local law enforcement can lawfully work with ICE to remove criminals and keep communities safe.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PA judge backs sheriff&#8217;s ICE cooperation, dismisses ACLU suit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2499409,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ICE.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[53588,50433,36794,5836,5936],"class_list":["post-2499408","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ice-cooperation","tag-judge-2","tag-legal-ruling","tag-pennsylvania","tag-sheriff"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ICE.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2499408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2499408"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2499408\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2499412,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2499408\/revisions\/2499412"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2499409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2499408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2499408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2499408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}