Leaders from the city of Erie up to the federal level discussed the impact illegal immigration is having on Erie County.

"The number one concern of the American people now is illegal immigration and the fact that we are being overwhelmed at both our southern and northern borders," Rep. Mike Kelly said.

"I do not think it is impacting us right now, I have been warned about it over the last couple months here but I have not heard of any of it happening but we will get our legal team involved if it does start to happen," Mayor of Erie Joe Schember said.

"We need to support our colleagues, other counties and other states on these borders because if we do not fight those battles, hold the line and enforce the laws that we have, there are going to be repercussions that are going to be paid for right here in Erie County," said Erie County Executive Brenton Davis.

"We have to be fiscally responsible, our economy is just crushing people and the taxpayers are now paying $1,000 more because of illegal immigrants," said State Rep. Jake Banta.

"I hope that the powers that be at the federal level will come together and find some compromise, I think there was a compromise that would have worked a couple weeks ago but there just does not seem to be a whole lot of continuity working in Harrisburg and Washington at the same time," State Rep. Pat Harkins said.

"We got people coming in from all around the world illegally crossing the border and Americans are scared because this is at the core of the fentanyl crisis, we lost 5,000 Pennsylvanians last year through fentanyl, it is permeating throughout our communities including Erie County," said Dave McCormick, candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Bob Casey released a statement to Erie News Now that read: 

"I have long supported comprehensive immigration reform to fix our broken system and secure our border. Just weeks ago, I voted for the strongest border security bill in years, legislation that would have helped to secure our border and stop the flow of fentanyl into our country—but Senate Republicans walked away. While Republicans play politics, I'll keep fighting to provide much-needed resources to secure the border and crack down on fentanyl."