The Schuylkill County Democratic Committee released a statement Tuesday saying the group is opposed to the Tremont ICE facility.

“Speculation existed the federal government would use eminent domain to bypass the county and local ordinances,” said committee Chairman Todd Zimmerman.

“At a meeting last night, we learned that a nonpartisan organization is forming to coordinate opposition efforts and bring together multiple legal and civic resources to challenge the project. We welcome broad, community-based participation and cooperation on this issue,” Zimmerman said.

He mentioned the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. “We believe all enforcement actions must follow the law, respect constitutional rights, and involve properly trained personnel working in coordination with local law enforcement. Racial profiling should be eliminated,” he said.

Zimmerman added, “We believe a secure border is necessary and that immigration policy should be set by Congress. We also believe legal immigration is vital to our nation’s future, and that anyone who commits a violent crime should be arrested, afforded full due process, and, if convicted, deported under existing law.”

He said Rachel Wallace, candidate for the 9th Congressional District, hosted the recent bipartisan town hall in Tremont Township, “where many of these issues were discussed respectfully and constructively. Public engagement and transparency are essential as this process moves forward.”

Some talking points cited by Zimmerman:

1. The federal government does not have to pay county and local taxes. The Pine Grove Area School District will lose $555,000, the county $222,000, and Tremont Township over $195,000.

2. The facilities are not detention facilities. They are reminiscent of the Japanese internment camps during World War II. Many people have died inside these centers. According to federal records over 70,000 people are being interred nationwide. Many of these were hastily constructed, without proper sanitation, health care and concerns for bodily safety.

3. While many occupants are interned for nonviolent acts, Tremont residents were afraid of housing violent offenders. A child day care center is situated by the entrance.

4. The value of the property in 2025 was $60 million, but lowered due to recent the assessment process. The federal government paid $119 million. Why? That is our taxpayer dollars. Who received the extra $59 million?

5. The proposed facility will need more water and sewerage capacity than the existing facility. How will that impact the residents? Will wells go dry?

“We stand with the citizens of Tremont and surrounding communities and will continue working through lawful, organized, and cooperative means to continue the fight against this facility,” Zimmerman concluded.