(LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA) — As of Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Lehigh County officials say they are moving to terminate a lease that allows the Department of Homeland Security to use county office space for ICE operations, citing more than $100,000 in unpaid rent as the trigger.
The change here is not a new immigration rule. It is a shift in a local government’s landlord-tenant posture toward a federal tenant. Still, the operational effects can matter to residents, including immigrants who report to ICE offices for check-ins, filings, or supervision-related appointments.
The announcement came from Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel, with separate statements from County Controller Mark Pinsley. No court filing, publicly released lease, or formal notice of default was included in the materials described, so key details remain unknown, including any cure period, the precise termination date, and what the lease requires before possession changes.
Leases involving government entities can escalate faster than private disputes. Public funds are involved, procurement and contracting rules may apply, and messaging can drive rapid escalation.
What is known is the county is tying its action to alleged nonpayment. What is not yet specified is the exact contractual timeline that would make the termination legally effective.
Actions announced: termination posture, payment demands, and “evicted” messaging
County Executive Siegel stated the county is terminating the lease and “will take all necessary steps” to enforce that termination and protect residents’ interests. He also said DHS “should consider themselves evicted.” Controller Pinsley urged immediate action and immediate payment, paired with a demand that DHS/ICE leave the space.
Those statements signal an aggressive enforcement posture. They do not, by themselves, substitute for the steps a commercial or government lease typically requires.
In many leases, nonpayment is handled through a defined sequence: written notice of default, a cure window, termination after failure to cure, and then a process to obtain possession. For private parties, that may involve a landlord-tenant action in court. For government parties, procedures may also be shaped by sovereign immunity issues and contract-disputes clauses.
The practical point is that the lease terms matter. A “cure” provision may permit payment after notice and before termination is effective. A “no-waiver” clause may affect how late payments are treated. A disputes clause may require administrative steps before litigation. Until the lease and notices are public, the enforceability timeline remains unclear.
Warning: Public statements about “eviction” do not always equal a completed legal eviction. The effective date usually depends on notice requirements, cure rights, and possession procedures in the lease.
Key actors and political context shaping the dispute
Two county roles are driving public messaging. The County Executive typically controls executive functions, facilities decisions, and overall administration. The County Controller generally has finance oversight responsibilities, including auditing and public accountability around county expenditures and receivables.
Controller Pinsley’s letter and press remarks frame the issue as both fiscal and reputational. He cited concern about public perception that the county is “enabling ICE.” That messaging intersects with oversight because unpaid rent can be framed as a failure to protect county finances.
The dispute is also unfolding in an election context. Pinsley is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Rep. Mackenzie criticized the approach, arguing it should be handled through negotiation and emphasizing homeland security investigative functions, including human trafficking investigations.
Political dynamics can affect pace and tone. They can also harden public positions, making quiet settlement harder. They do not necessarily change the underlying legal merits of a contract dispute.
Implications for local governance, public perception, and immigration-related operations
For the county, a termination effort can affect budgeting, space allocation, and how officials treat federal agencies as tenants going forward. Counties may also weigh public perception differently when the tenant is ICE, given community concerns about enforcement activity.
For the public, the most immediate impact may be logistical. If an ICE office relocates, people who report for check-ins, bonds, supervision conditions, or paperwork may face confusion about where to appear. That confusion can have legal consequences.
Missing an ICE reporting requirement can trigger enforcement action, and missing an immigration court hearing can result in an in absentia removal order under INA § 240(b)(5). Immigration court hearings are run by EOIR, not ICE, but overlap in scheduling and location can cause misunderstandings.
It is also important to separate office functions from detention. A dispute over office space does not itself change federal enforcement authority. DHS and ICE retain their statutory authority regardless of where an office is located. But access points for the public can shift, and counsel may need updated contact information for filings or appointment coordination.
Deadline: If you have an ICE check-in or supervision appointment, confirm the location directly with ICE or your attorney before the appointment date. Do not rely on social media or rumors.
Next steps: what typically happens after a government lease termination is announced
After a public termination announcement, several procedural paths are common, depending on the lease language and government contracting rules.
- Payment and cure. DHS may pay arrears within any cure period, plus late fees if allowed. The county may then withdraw termination, or it may proceed if other defaults are alleged.
- Negotiated move-out. Parties may agree to a short transition period to reduce disruption, especially if the space serves frequent public traffic.
- Formal termination mechanics. The county may issue a written termination notice and pursue possession steps consistent with Pennsylvania landlord-tenant and contract procedures, as modified by the lease.
- Litigation or claims process. Either party may pursue contract remedies. Federal agencies often operate under contract-disputes frameworks, and jurisdictional rules can be complex.
Readers should watch for concrete indicators rather than rhetoric. That includes official county agenda items, written notices, any filed court actions, and any DHS/ICE public guidance on office location changes.
Individuals with immigration matters should also monitor EOIR hearing notices and counsel communications. EOIR information is available at justice.gov/eoir, and USCIS benefit filings remain separate at uscis.gov.
Warning: Do not miss immigration court dates because of an office relocation rumor. Court hearing notices control, and the consequences of nonappearance can be severe.
Recommended actions and timeline
- Next 1–7 days: If you interact with ICE locally, confirm office addresses and reporting instructions in writing when possible. Keep copies of notices.
- Next 2–4 weeks: Look for published county documentation that clarifies cure periods or termination dates. Ask counsel whether any reporting or contact protocols changed.
- Ongoing: If you have housing instability tied to unpaid rent or displacement, tell your immigration attorney. Housing and healthcare disruptions can affect evidence collection and case preparation.
Resources
EOIR Immigration Court information: justice.gov/eoir
USCIS: uscis.gov
This article provides general information about immigration law and is not legal advice. Immigration cases are highly fact-specific, and laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice about your specific situation.
