A county in western Pennsylvania announced last week that it has terminated its designation as a "sanctuary county" for illegal immigrants amid what the county commissioner described as "heartache and angst."

Butler County, which is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, was listed online prior to Feb. 21 as a location that impedes immigration enforcement policies, according to local ABC affiliate WTAE.

Butler County had been included in a list compiled by the Center for Immigration Studies that includes other 16 other counties in Pennsylvania, such as Philadelphia and Allegheny County.

PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICANS SEEK TO LEVY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS' REMITTANCES TO FUND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Skyline of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Butler County in western Pennsylvania is within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. (Sir Francis Canker Photography via Getty Images)

The county prison board provided clarity last week regarding its association with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

As per the policy, the Butler County Prison will acknowledge ICE detainers that contain a warrant, send a list of prisoners to ICE on a weekly basis and permit ICE access to the facility and inmates, according to the outlet.

PENNSYLVANIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WORKERS ARE SKIPPING TAXES, SHOULD HAVE TO ‘PAY UP’

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conduct a targeted enforcement operation in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. on February 9, 2017. Picture taken on February 9, 2017. Courtesy Bryan Cox/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RC17533307A0

As per the policy, the Butler County Prison will acknowledge ICE detainers that contain a warrant, send a list of prisoners to ICE on a weekly basis and permit ICE access to the facility and inmates as necessary. (Reuters / File)

"The sanctuary designation did not reflect our intentions or practices," said Republican state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, who led the movement to remove the designation from Butler County. "We are a county of security and law and order."

According to County Commissioner Kim Geyer, the sanctuary designation "created a lot of heartache and angst" among residents who felt it did not reflect Butler County's values.

Pennsylvania Capitol

Republican Pennsylvania state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba said Butler County's "sanctuary designation did not reflect our intentions or practices." (AP Photo / Matt Rourke / File)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Authorities said they support legal immigration, but they have pinpointed the drug trafficking they are witnessing as a concern because of an influx of illegal immigration.