ICE Statement, Paper Shredding Event, SCAM Alert & More...

Rep. Ben Sanchez July 29, 2025 | 1:37 PM

PA Representative Ben Sanchez banner image

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you find this week’s News and Events email helpful as we look at what’s coming up in and around the district. As always, my team and I are here to help you with any state-related matter and are happy to provide as much information as we can.

Whether you need a service, want to share your concerns, offer ideas or drop off a donation for one of our drives, we’d love to see you at my district office during our walk-in hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Alternatively, feel free to reach out at (215) 517-6800 or via email at RepSanchez@pahouse.net.

Wishing you and yours a good week ahead.

Sincerely,

State Representative Ben Sanchez

Statement on ICE
Mitzvah Circle Thank You
Back to School Supply Drive
Free Paper Shredding and Electronics Recycling Event
Abington Single-Use Ban
Abington TikTok Prank
SCAM ALERT: Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
PA Veterans Temporary Assistance Program
A Matter of Balance Program
Upcoming Community Events

Below you will find my official statement on the recent ICE raids in Pennsylvania:

"Over the past week, I’ve sat at my computer multiple times, staring at a blank screen, struggling to find the right words. I knew I had to speak out — as I have on many issues that demand our collective voice — but this time felt different, it felt personal, and it shook me.

When I see what’s happening to families across the country, including right here in Pennsylvania, I see my own family. I see my grandfather, who came to this country seeking a better life for himself and future generations. I see people — good people — working hard, contributing to their communities, and believing in the same promise of America that my family believed in: a nation built on freedom, opportunity, and hope.

Everything I do, every decision I make, is rooted in honoring the sacrifices of those who came before me. I was raised to believe in an America that welcomed the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The America that stood as a beacon of refuge. That is the America I love. That is the America I will always fight for.

What we are seeing now — with hardworking immigrants and dreamers being torn from their homes and workplaces is not just wrong; it is inhumane. This is not the America I believe in.

Our nation was built by immigrants. Aside from Indigenous communities, nearly all of us are here because our ancestors dared to seek something better. To see fathers, mothers, children, husbands and wives treated like criminals for doing the same is reprehensible. And the manner in which these detainments are being carried out — masked agents, surprise raids, families traumatized — echoes some of history’s darkest moments. It is chilling and it is unacceptable.

Yes, we are a nation of laws, but we are also a nation of people — people who deserve dignity and due process, regardless of immigration status. These families are not numbers or statistics; they are human beings. They are part of the fabric of our communities, and they deserve a level of respect not being shown.

That’s why, when I learned of Representative Friel’s legislation to ban the use of face coverings by agents during civilian arrests, I signed on immediately. While immigration policy is largely federal, this is one step we can take at the state level to ensure transparency and accountability. We cannot remain silent when injustice becomes normalized.

I am heartbroken for the families affected by these recent ICE raids and tonight, I’ll hold my children a little tighter, with the painful awareness that many parents may not have that chance.

As the grandson of an immigrant, I am enraged.

As a father, I am devastated.

As an attorney, I am disappointed.

As a legislator, I am motivated.

We must stand together and demand a more compassionate, humane, and just America."

To learn more about Representative Paul Friel's Officer Visibility Act, please click here or the image below.

Mitzvah Circle Thank You

Yesterday, my office, along with other state offices from around Southeast Pennsylvania, met with Mitzvah Circle’s Executive Director, Fran Held, to drop our recent period product donations off to be distributed throughout the area. By donating, you made a meaningful impact for many in our community.

Thank you to all who participated!

Back to School Backpack & School Supply Donation Drive

My office is once again partnering with local organizations to collect school supplies for children in need in Montgomery County this back-to-school season.

We are collecting donations through Friday, August 15th, at my district office, 1175 Old York Rd., Abington, during regular walk-in hours, (M-F, 10a.m.-3p.m.)

For more information please call: 215-517-6800 or email RepSanchez@pahouse.net. See below for a list of suggested items.

FREE Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Event

Join my office, along with Representative Napoleon Nelson's office, for a free document shredding and electronics recycling event! Empty your garage and protect your identity at the same time.

We ask that you limit your shredding items to 3 brown paper bags. Our offices will be collecting non-perishable food items for local food banks at this event.

Date: September 6

Time: 1-3p.m.

Where: Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel's Parking Lot, 8339 Old York Rd., Elkins Park

** We cannot accept LARGE household appliances, light bulbs, monitors, TVs or any products that contain freon. Please see the flyer for a more extensive list. **

ABINGTON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN

Effective August 12: Commercial establishments in Abington Township are prohibited from providing single-use plastic bags, splash sticks, stirrers, single-use plastic straws (unless requested), and expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) products.

You can click here or on the image below to learn more about the ordinance.

Abington TikTok Prank

Per the Abington Police Department, "A reckless and dangerous TikTok trend is making its way through neighborhoods, and it’s putting people at real risk. In these videos, teens and kids film themselves pounding on or violently kicking doors, often late at night, pretending to break in, before running away. Many see it as a funny prank for views or likes, but this behavior is anything but harmless.

This so-called “challenge” is alarming for homeowners who may believe they are experiencing an attempted home invasion. It creates fear, confusion, and potential danger — not just for the people inside the home, but for the kids involved as well."

To read more about the prank, please click here or the image below.

SCAM ALERT Involving Montco Sheriff's Office

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about recent scams involving fraudulent calls and emails. These scams are falsely claiming that you’ve missed court and must pay fines using gift cards, prepaid debit cards or Bitcoin. These are not legitimate notifications.

If you receive a suspicious message or call, do NOT reply, contact the Courthouse directly at 610-278-3000. If you’ve been a victim, call the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368.

To learn more, click here or the image below.

PA Veterans Temporary Assistance Program

If you know a veteran who’s struggling to make ends meet, the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) Program might be able to help. Eligible PA veterans and their families can take advantage of the program that provides up to $1,600 per year for essential needs like rent, groceries, utility bills, and clothing during times of financial hardship.

Eligible applicants include veterans with honorable or general discharges, those with service-connected disabilities, and surviving dependents of eligible veterans or service members who died in the line of duty.

To apply or learn more, visit www.dmva.pa.org or contact our Montgomery County Veterans Services office, Veteran Services | Montgomery County, PA - Official Website.

A Matter of Balance Program-

Through Abington Jefferson and Montgomery County Office of Health and Human Services

Do you limit your activities because of your fear of falling? Have you stopped doing things you love because you are afraid you might fall?

If this sounds like you, join us for an 8-week program to improve your confidence, balance and activity level.

A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls will meet every Tuesday August 12 through September 30 from 1pm-3pm at Jefferson Health - Abington Hospital. We will talk about our fears, tips to help us stay more active and independent, and even exercise!

For more information or to register, contact: Brittany Sweeney at Jefferson Abington Trauma Department 267-825-8043 or emailbrittany.sturm@jefferson.edu.

HELPFUL INFORMATION AND LINKS:

Abington Township is maintaining and regularly updating a dedicated webpage on the SPS Technologies Fire. There, you can find the latest press releases, recordings of past press conferences, road closure updates, and more.
SPS Technologies has a dedicated and regularly updated website to provide updates and resources. You can contact them here with questions and concerns.
The EPA and DEP are continuing to monitor air and water conditions to ensure public safety. According to DEP, as of right now, the area surrounding the fire has been deemed safe. If conditions change, the public will be notified immediately of protective actions to be taken. Their dedicated webpage is being kept up to date as well.
For environmental health-related questions you can complete the Environmental Health Concern Form or call DEP at 717-787-3350.
Please make sure to sign up for emergency notifications via Ready Montco at readymontco.org if you have not already done so.