Legislative Latino and Black caucus chairs issue statement on Berks County ICE facility
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus February 4, 2026 | 4:40 PM
READING, Feb. 4 – State Reps. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and Napoleon Nelson, chairs of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, respectively, today issued the following statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s purchase of a 520,000-square-foot warehouse to be used as an immigration detention facility:
“Across this country, ICE enforcement has led to devastating consequences for families and communities -- including family separation, aggressive raids, and the targeting of individuals who pose no threat to public safety. These actions have created fear and instability, particularly within immigrant communities,” Cepeda-Freytiz said.
“Now, ICE is preparing to establish a detention operation in Berks County. This decision risks provoking fear, disrupting families, and endangering the wellbeing of our neighbors -- regardless of citizenship status. The pattern of cruelty and lack of accountability we have seen from ICE has no place in Berks County or anywhere in Pennsylvania.
“Berks County has faced an ICE detention facility before, and after years of sustained community advocacy, that center ultimately closed. That history matters.
“While many questions remain about the scope and operations of this proposed facility, I will continue to use every tool available to demand transparency, protect due process, and stand with our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Cepeda-Freytiz encouraged residents to remain engaged and informed as more details emerge.
“I urge community members to stay connected, participate in public conversations, and make their voices heard by demanding accountability and oversight from decision-makers,” she said. “We must also support trusted local organizations that provide legal information, family support, and community resources so that no one is left to navigate this alone.”
“We are seeing a clear move by ICE to plant roots in Pennsylvania once again,” Nelson said. “Their actions have brought terror to our neighbors, especially immigrant communities and communities of color. We stand united in the all-too-familiar fight for civil rights.”
Cepeda-Freytiz recently signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 402, legislation urging Congress to withhold funding from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security unless meaningful reforms and oversight are enacted.
The 129th Legislative District, which Cepeda-Freytiz represents, is nearly 40% Hispanic — one of the highest percentages in Pennsylvania. The district includes parts of Reading and Spring Township, as well as the boroughs of Sinking Spring, West Reading, and Wyomissing.
The Upper Bern Township warehouse, located at 3501 Mountain Road, is approximately 20 miles from downtown Reading. It is one of two facilities ICE reportedly plans to utilize as immigration detention centers in Pennsylvania, with the second located in Tremont, Schuylkill County.