Protect Our Neighbors Act

The Lackawanna County Commissioners listen to an audience member speak during a commissioners meeting April 6, 2026

Local

Lackawanna County commissioners split, but approve policy on employees dealing with ICE agents

The Lackawanna County Commissioners voted 2-1 Wednesday to pass a policy regulating the way county employees should interact with immigration and other law enforcement agents.

Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan, left, makes a point related to his proposed law limiting county cooperate with ICE during a meeting March 4, 2026. Commissioner Thom Welby, next to Gaughan, Commissioner Chris Chermak, right, and county deputy chief of staff Traci Harte, foreground, listen as Gaughan speaks.

Local

Lackawanna County memo: Immigration cooperation limits carry 'significant risks'

Borys Krawczeniuk | WVIA News

In a memo, Lackawanna County's solicitor says Commissioner Bill Gaughan's proposed law limiting cooperation with ICE carries potential criminal penalties.

Elizabeth Aguilar, the daughter of El Salvadoran immigrants, speaks in support of Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan's Protect Our Neighbors Act at a county commissioners meeting March 4, 2026. Aguilar spoke about how she lived in fear of ICE agents as she grew up because her parents, now both naturalized citizens, entered the U.S. illegally.

Local

Lackawanna County solicitor's memo raises questions about proposed ICE contact policy

Borys Krawczeniuk | WVIA News

The Lackawanna County commissioners are reviewing a legal memo that raises doubts about Commissioner Bill Gaughan's proposed Protect Our Neighbors Act.