• 2025-09-12 15:57:53
• Gun Violence

NORRISTOWN, PA — Weeks after major immigration raids in the Norristown area, watchdog and advocacy groups are continuing to keep a close eye on potential ICE activity throughout the region.

The strategy adopted by the local groups involves rallying local residents to report sightings of immigration agents. The organizations then warn local residents that ICE is in the area, and they dispatch members to speak to the ICE agents directly.

"Remind them also that when ICE is in Norristown we must call the quick response line for them to come out and confront them so we avoid more arrests," Voces Norristown Radio, which works closely with Project Libertad and Unides Para Servir Norristown, shared. "Or they remain on streets."

At least 14 people were taken into custody during a July raid at the Super Gigante in West Norriton. Critics condemned the nature of the activity, which involved snipers posted atop the market and heavily armed agents patrolling the lot, as deliberately intended to stoke fear and terror.

"This isn't about public safety," State Sen. Katie Muth said at the time. "It's about fear and control. It's about putting a price on the heads of immigrants for the sake of headlines, rather than creating a real, humane path to citizenship for the people our communities, and our economy, depend on every day."

Raids have continued in Montgomery County, which has made its status as a "sanctuary" county abundantly clear, though none have been as high profile as the Super Gigante incident. Recently, on Sept. 3, local nonprofits warned of multiple people being taken into custody at the Markley Street parking lot in Norristown.

In many cases, family members said they've had trouble getting in touch with family members after they were taken. Muth's office said that in the case of the Super Gigante raid, none of the arrested individuals appeared to have any criminal history.

The raids in local communities have been a hallmark of President Trump's second administration as he has worked to deport immigrants. His Department of Homeland Security specifically listed Montgomery County as one of sixteen jurisdictions in Pennsylvania that is

The Montco Community Network urges residents to call their tip line — 267-279-9205— if they see activity.