Immigration and Customs Enforcement coming into Tremont Township in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania seems familiar to some people there – and not in a good way.

Many residents had no idea a detention center could be built there until reading about it in a news article. They felt blindsided by their local politicians. Now community members worry their area will get taken advantage of again. 

In Episode 35, we explore the risks the project in Schuylkill County pose to an area that’s already struggling to mitigate harms from unwanted industries past and present. 

Because of the absence of public input regarding the ICE detention center, residents worry whether their local officials will hold DHS accountable for how the town’s resources will be used.  

“ICEd Out: Detention center plans meet resistance in Pennsylvania’s coal region” is a series that explores how commonwealth residents are pushing back against the facilities.

The Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Emily Previti spent time in Coal Region to find out how the plan is landing with residents, elected leaders and business owners.

ICEd Out is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. Special thanks to WITF for the use of their studios. 

You can listen to the full series here.

Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer. 

Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: 

Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected]

Photo:  A sign advertising a fish fry at the Tremont Borough Fire Company in Tremont, Schuylkill County on March 12, 2026. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis/Pennsylvania Capital-Star).