(CENTRE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA) Federal immigration agents detained at least 26 individuals on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in what advocacy groups describe as one of the area’s largest recent enforcement actions. According to the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition and the Centre County Rapid Response network, arrests occurred during early-morning traffic stops along I-99 in Bellefonte and Highway 220 near the Milesburg exit. The operation reportedly targeted workers traveling to a local hospital construction site, leaving families and coworkers scrambling for information.
Witnesses, including attorney Garrett Allison of Centre County, said multiple vehicles were pulled over and several men were taken into custody at each location. Allison, who stopped to assist, recorded video that advocacy groups later shared on social media. Several witnesses said state police appeared to assist federal agents during parts of the operation. As of August 22, 2025, state authorities had not issued a statement confirming or denying their role.
Immigrant advocacy groups condemned the action and demanded the immediate release of those arrested. The Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition and Centre County Rapid Response said they are working to identify detainees, connect families with legal help, and coordinate emergency support. They also called for an end to local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, particularly around traffic stops that can sweep up workers with long ties to Centre County.
ICE had not released an official statement by August 22, 2025, and did not provide details on the people detained, their identities, or what charges may be involved. With no official information, relatives and employers are relying on advocacy networks and legal clinics. The National Immigration Law Center has updated 2025 guides to help families locate loved ones and prepare emergency plans, which groups are sharing across the county’s immigrant communities.
What we know so far
- Date and time: Early morning of Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
- Locations: Traffic stops on I-99 in Bellefonte and Highway 220 near the Milesburg exit.
- Number arrested: At least 26 individuals, according to advocacy groups.
- Focus of operation: Workers reportedly headed to a hospital construction site.
- Law enforcement presence: Witnesses reported state police assisting ICE; official confirmation is pending.
- Official response: No ICE statement as of August 22, 2025.
- National backdrop: ICE enforcement has stayed steady nationwide, with 27,483 ICE arrests reported in July 2025, according to TRAC data.
- Local impact: Families and employers in Centre County are seeking legal support and basic information about who was taken and where they were moved.
Local community impact and concerns
The operation has sparked anxiety across Centre County’s immigrant communities, where many residents work in construction and service jobs that keep local projects on schedule.
- Families fear long detention, possible transfer far from Pennsylvania, and the risk of deportation that can separate parents from children.
- Coworkers and community members are left without key workers and uncertain about project timelines.
- The events raised broader questions about the use of traffic stops in immigration enforcement and whether local police assisted federal agents during the operation.
Advocacy organizations argue that mass actions like this can break trust with immigrant communities and may sweep up people who have deep roots in the area. They worry that sorting passengers by suspected status during stops could raise due-process concerns.
Legal rights and guidance
Legal aid groups emphasize that basic rights still apply during immigration encounters.
- Individuals have the right to remain silent.
- Individuals have the right to ask for a lawyer.
- Individuals can refuse consent to a search where the law allows.
Advocates are distributing Know Your Rights materials in multiple languages and urging families not to sign anything without legal advice. Attorneys note that cooperation between local police and federal immigration agencies is legally complex and could face court review if stops were made without warrants or probable cause.
“Families should speak with qualified counsel promptly to protect their rights,” legal experts say.
How to locate a detained person
The first step for relatives is to check the ICE Online Detainee Locator System: https://locator.ice.gov. If a record appears, families can consult attorneys about next steps, including bond requests and hearing schedules. If no record appears, advocates recommend trying again later and keeping in contact with local help groups tracking transfers.
Contact options and immediate steps:
– Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE for detention inquiries.
– Reach out to the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition and Centre County Rapid Response for legal referrals and updates.
– Keep records of any encounters: time, place, officer names, and other details to share with attorneys.
How families can get help (action list)
- Locate the person:
- Use the 2025 guidance from the National Immigration Law Center and the ICE detainee locator: https://locator.ice.gov.
- Contact support:
- Reach out to local advocacy groups for legal referrals and real-time updates.
- Gather documents:
- Collect identification, proof of residence, and any immigration records helpful for attorneys.
- Share Know Your Rights information:
- Make sure family and coworkers understand what to do if approached by immigration officers.
- Stay informed:
- Keep in touch with legal representatives and advocacy groups about hearing dates, transfers, and possible relief.
Advocacy response and next steps
Advocacy groups are:
– Working to identify detainees and connect families with legal help.
– Coordinating emergency support and preparing for bond requests.
– Hosting know-your-rights workshops and emergency planning sessions.
– Building rapid response networks to support families as cases move forward.
– Preparing public records requests and potential investigations into any state police involvement.
Legal challenges could follow if evidence shows stops occurred without proper warrants or probable cause.
Broader policy discussion
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, community groups across Pennsylvania have pressed for clearer rules on when local police can assist in immigration enforcement and more transparency when arrests occur near worksites or on public roads. Tuesday’s operation has revived those demands in Centre County, where faith, labor, and legal leaders are calling for consistent practices that protect civil rights while providing accurate public information during fast-moving events.
Immediate resources and recommendations
- Families seeking immediate information can call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
- Document any related encounters and share details with trusted legal teams.
- Attorneys say recorded times, locations, and officer names can matter if a court later reviews whether officers followed rules during a stop.
The next steps will likely include efforts to verify identities, track transfers, and secure counsel for each person arrested. If stops are found to have lacked proper legal basis, legal challenges could follow. Meanwhile, the human stakes are clear: parents missing at pickup time, lost paychecks, and classmates asking why friends are suddenly absent. Community groups say they will keep pushing for answers—and for the return of the people taken on Tuesday morning.
This Article in a Nutshell
Federal agents detained at least 26 people during traffic stops in Centre County on August 19, 2025. The operation targeted construction-site workers; witnesses said state police assisted. ICE had not commented by August 22. Advocacy groups are locating detainees, providing legal aid, and exploring potential legal challenges over the stops.
