U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Cranberry Township continues to escalate, with another incident reported on Saturday, Sept. 12.

An unnamed Latino resident of the township was reportedly followed by an ICE vehicle while returning from dropping someone off to work, according to Frontline Dignity, a Pittsburgh-based immigrant rights organization which regularly patrols areas in Southwestern Pennsylvania to record and archive ICE activities.

The vehicle tracked the resident to their home address, after which an ICE agent approached the resident and ordered them to get on the ground. The agent also tried to enter the resident’s home without a warrant by blocking the door with their foot, according to an Instagram post detailing the alleged incident.

After the resident refused the agent permission to enter, they were able to close the door.

Jamie Martinez, executive director of Frontline Dignity, said the organization’s volunteer patrollers did not witness the incident firsthand, but received a direct report at 8:06 a.m. from the individual who was affected.

“We spoke to the family here and they were pretty concerned and scared,” Martinez said.

He said the family did not want to share further details, but confirmed the individual who was followed has no criminal record.

The Butler Eagle was unable to reach the individual affected for comment.

Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe said county law enforcement officers were not involved in any ICE related incidents over the weekend. Through the 287(g) program, which the sheriffs’ office participates in, deputies can assist ICE’s efforts detaining undocumented and illegal immigrants.

ICE operations, which often involve tracking individuals home with the goal of apprehending them, have spiked in Southwestern Pennsylvania recently, Martinez said.

Closer to downtown Pittsburgh, Beechview has become a hotbed of ICE presence, he said. A little to the north, in Cranberry Township, a similar trend has followed in recent months, Martinez said.

As of Wednesday, 49 incidents have been documented in Cranberry Township this year by Frontline Dignity. Thirteen of the incidents were reported in July. Cranberry Township led the list of places the organization tracks this year in the months of March, April, June, July and August.

“Our police department and township is not involved in any ICE activities within Cranberry Township,” Dan Santoro, township supervisor, said. “We are certainly aware of the sheriff's office being involved, but they don’t coordinate with us.”

Santoro said the sheriff’s office is authorized to take action without making the township police aware of their activities.

“We don’t get any advanced notice,” he said. “We don’t know what they’re doing.”

Some residents have reached out with concerns from time to time, but Santoro said the outreach has been met with confirmation of the township’s nonparticipation.

“Once we show folks that we’re not engaged or involved in that activity, that addresses any concern they had at the township level,” he said.

Martinez said the increased activity in the township is part of a nationwide trend. In August, the agency announced it was looking for parking spaces in Pittsburgh, which itself is part of a bigger search in 14 cities for parking near ICE facilities.

“I would say that what we’re witnessing is a rising tide,” said Martinez. “Our neighborhoods are under attack by the federal government.”

However, Slupe said residents at large have expressed support toward efforts from his office to assist ICE.

“However, there are those who oppose. I respect those who have opposition, but we will just have to disagree,” said Slupe.

He added any action from his office is in accordance with federal law and ICE officers who work with deputies are professionally trained and disciplined.

Martinez said individuals approached by ICE agents or witnessing an incident can call Frontline Dignity at 412-536-6423 for expert advice. He emphasized ICE operations should not be interfered with.

“We are not interested in interfering or disrupting the immediate arrest, but what we want to do is ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that there is no violence inflicted on the folks that are being persecuted,” he said. “We like to have a record and an archive of everything that happens so that folks can use that in legal proceedings moving forward.”

He recommended individuals witnessing any activity of the sort stay 6 to 15 feet away and record the agents. Obtaining the agent’s name and badge number can be helpful, he said.