PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) — Community members voiced anger and concern Tuesday after witnesses reported what they described as violent arrests by federal officers in downtown Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, earlier in the day.

Video shared with Action News purportedly shows agents with Enforcement and Removal Operations, a division of ICE, making arrests Tuesday morning.

“We saw windows smashed, we saw people being dragged from their cars,” said Parker Studebaker of the Phoenixville Liberation Center.

Witnesses said federal agents surrounded a red SUV between 9 and 10 a.m. as it pulled into a parking lot on Taylor Alley. They said officers later returned to the same location and targeted a green SUV. The arrests occurred directly across from the police department, borough hall, and the courthouse.

“They ripped this other guy out of a car and handcuffed him. It was really aggressive and overly violent,” said Alicia West of Phoenixville.

Video from the scene shows clashes between agents and community members. It remains unclear who was taken into custody, why, or where the individuals were taken.

“It’s scary. It’s definitely something that you never want to see, your neighbors get abducted,” said Phoenixville resident Dalton Spitler.

“It’s infuriating. It’s really terrible to see that happen and not be able to do anything,” West said.

Action News reached out to the Department of Homeland Security seeking details about the arrests and any broader operations in Chester County, but has not received a response.

In a statement Tuesday, the Phoenixville mayor reaffirmed that borough police do not assist federal officers in immigration enforcement.

Studebaker, director ofthe Phoenixville Liberation Center, said he helps document incidents like this and supports families afterward.

“Every member of our community – regardless of status – is a member of our community, and at the liberation center, we’ve been able to bring together a lot of people to organize around this principal and protect our community,” he said.

Action News again contacted a DHS spokesperson on Tuesday and is still awaiting a response.

FULL STATEMENT: Clarification on the role of the Phoenixville Borough Police Department in immigration enforcement

Three schools in Pennsylvania were named among the best universities in the world for 2026 by Time Magazine. 

The magazine released its list of “The World’s Top Universities of 2026,” highlighting the Top 500 schools across the world for the new year. The University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania State University were the only universities in Pennsylvania to make the Top 100.

University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia 

The Ivy League school in the city’s University City neighborhood came in at No. 10 in the ranking. It is the sixth-best private school, according to the magazine’s list. 

Penn is a Philadelphia institution with a history as deep as the city it calls home. Many of the world’s most well-known public figures — including Elon Musk, President Trump and actress Elizabeth Banks — spent time on campus. 

Founded by Benjamin Franklin, Penn is considered America’s first university. 

Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh

The private school — whose campus sits in parts of Pittsburgh’s Oakland, Squirrel Hill and Shadyside neighborhoods — came in at No. 38, Time Magazine says. 

It was founded in November 1900 by Andrew Carnegie, and has become a top university for people interested in business, artificial intelligence and drama. Famous alumni include artist Andy Warhol, businessman David Tepper, actor Billy Porter and actress Lola Tung. 

Penn State in State College  

Penn State came in at No. 81 in the ranking, rounding out Pennsylvanians’ inclusion in the top 100. When considering only public universities in the state, PSU is No. 1, according to Time Magazine. 

While Penn State, the state’s only land-grant university, is known for its powerhouse athletic programs, the school’s academic rigor draws some of the world’s brightest minds. Actor Keegan-Michael Key, director Adam McKay and journalist Lara Spencer are proud PSU graduates. 

Time Magazine’s methodology 

The magazine said its ranking of the top universities in the world emphasized “the extent to which students achieve extraordinary success, for instance in patenting new inventions or rising to leadership roles in business.” 

Time went on to say its rankings help “understand where students are likely to achieve the greatest success and contribute most to society as the world order shifts.”