As a new voter in America and a young resident of Pennsylvania, I want to raise awareness about the impacts that ICE detention centers have on our communities and environment. Specifically, I am concerned about the new proposed warehouses in Berks County and the Schuylkill communities. I implore the Chestnut Hill Local to cover this issue more, as the people of Pennsylvania need to understand how these initiatives will hurt the physical, financial, and environmental health of our communities.

As described by Gov. Josh Shapiro, installing these new detention centers will put a significant drain on water and healthcare access for our communities. In an article by Spotlight PA, journalists Hanna Holthaus and Gabriela Martínez interview Gov. Shapiro, who warns that citizens literally will not be able to flush the toilet or fill a pot of water due to the strain these new centers would create. Additionally, in the interview, Gov. Shapiro highlights how the federal government will either take healthcare workers away from these local communities or will not provide the necessary healthcare to care for the detained individuals.

The people of Pennsylvania need to know how these new facilities would directly impact their communities. I am not asking the Chestnut Hill Local to take a political stance on immigration policy, but rather to raise awareness about the overwhelming and unquestionable negative environmental and medical effects of these proposed warehouses.

Gov. Shapiro needs to know that local papers like the Chestnut Hill Local support his cause. He is fighting for the people, and the people need to be educated about these issues that will affect their daily lives so immeasurably.

Thank you for your time.

Nina Sager

Blue Bell