Immigration in Pennsylvania

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 8, 2026

HR 556: A Resolution recognizing the month of June 2026 as "National Immigrant Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes June 2026 as "National Immigrant Heritage Month" within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It directly affects the state government and its residents by officially designating the month to honor the contributions of immigrants and their descendants to Pennsylvania's economy, culture, and society. The resolution cites various statistics regarding immigrant participation in the workforce, healthcare, and business ownership to justify the recognition. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves to celebrate diversity and acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of immigrants in the state.

Topics ✓ Immigration

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2376: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for civil immigration arrests in houses of worship.

This bill prohibits law enforcement officers from detaining or arresting individuals for civil immigration violations on the property of houses of worship. The only exception allows for arrests if the officer is acting in an official capacity and holds a valid judicial warrant. Additionally, the legislation bars state and local agencies from using taxpayer funds to conduct immigration enforcement and imposes a $10,000 civil penalty for any violations of these rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2260: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, providing for civil immigration arrests made on Commonwealth property; and imposing a penalty.

This bill requires law enforcement officers to have a valid judicial warrant before making civil immigration arrests on Pennsylvania state property, which includes state buildings and grounds in Dauphin, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton counties. The legislation mandates that officers must show the warrant to any state employee who asks to see it during such arrests. Violations of these requirements could result in a $10,000 civil penalty for each offense, which would be paid to the Commonwealth and enforced by the Attorney General. The bill does not prevent the investigation or enforcement of criminal immigration laws, and it clarifies that sovereign immunity protections do not apply to lawsuits brought under this new provision.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2200: An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for enforcement of civil immigration law and for prohibited use of funds.

This bill prohibits Pennsylvania State Police from stopping, detaining, or questioning individuals based solely on immigration status, except when necessary for unrelated criminal investigations. It bans prolonging detention due to immigration status or conducting immigration checks without a prior criminal arrest. Police must share immigration detainer information with federal authorities only if discovered during lawful detention for unrelated matters. The law directly affects all individuals interacting with Pennsylvania State Police, limiting state involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2216: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, providing for special immigrant juvenile status predicate orders.

HB 2216 creates new court procedures in Pennsylvania for juvenile courts to issue "predicate orders" required for immigrant youth to apply for federal Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. It directly affects immigrant youth under 21 who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect and need these court orders to seek U.S. immigration protections. Key provisions include establishing a lower burden of proof (preponderance of evidence), presuming it is not in the juvenile’s best interest to return to their home country, and allowing courts to issue orders without parental notice if abandonment occurred for six months. The bill adds specific court procedures to Pennsylvania’s juvenile law to streamline this process, ensuring youth can access federal immigration pathways.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 1193: An Act amending Title 29 (Federal Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for Federal immigration enforcement in State facilities.

SB 1193 requires federal immigration agents to obtain a judicial warrant or order before making civil immigration arrests in Pennsylvania state facilities (like prisons or courthouses) or within 1,000 feet of them, with an exception for arrests tied to ongoing proceedings within the facility. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, and public authorities operating such facilities by mandating warrant compliance. The bill allows individuals subjected to warrantless arrests to sue state entities for damages (minimum $500) or other relief, and explicitly states that state immunity laws cannot block such lawsuits. This creates legal accountability for state facilities that permit unauthorized federal immigration enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SR 225: A Resolution condemning the use of deadly force by officers of Federal immigration enforcement in incidents that raise serious constitutional and moral concerns.

Pennsylvania's Senate introduced Resolution 225 condemning federal immigration officers' use of deadly force in incidents raising constitutional concerns, specifically referencing two fatal shootings in Minnesota (Renée Good on January 7, 2026, and Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026). The resolution demands impartial investigations into these incidents, calls for federal agencies to review and reform enforcement practices, and urges Congress to strengthen accountability measures. It affirms that constitutional rights apply to all people regardless of immigration status and emphasizes that public safety requires respect for civil liberties. The resolution serves as a formal statement from Pennsylvania's Senate to federal officials, not a binding law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Civil Liberties

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 1189: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abuse of office, providing for indiscriminate arrest.

SB 1189 amends Pennsylvania law to prohibit law enforcement officers from arresting or detaining individuals based on race, nationality, or immigration status without probable cause for an immigration violation. The bill defines "indiscriminate arrest" as using these factors to make arrests without a warrant, or to meet a quota, and makes such actions a misdemeanor of the first degree. This applies to all law enforcement officers, including federal officials and state peace officers, as defined in existing law. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2026

HR 402: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to condition any additional appropriations for the United States Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement on meaningful accountability, transparency and civil rights reforms.

This Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 402) urges the U.S. Congress to require meaningful accountability and civil rights reforms before approving new funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It directly addresses federal agencies by demanding reforms like enforceable use-of-force standards, independent reviews of serious incidents, and public release of body-camera footage after deaths or injuries during enforcement. The resolution cites the January 2026 deaths of two U.S. citizens during an ICE operation in Minneapolis as a catalyst for requiring transparency and oversight before additional federal appropriations are granted. It does not create new law but calls on Congress to condition future funding on specific, concrete reforms to protect civil rights and public safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Enforcement

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 22, 2025

SB 1125: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for welcoming schools.

SB 1125 requires Pennsylvania school entities (including districts, charter schools, and career schools) to guarantee all students, parents, guardians, and school staff access to school property regardless of immigration status, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. Schools must adopt written policies promoting inclusivity within 90 days, designating a school official to handle related matters, and publish these policies in all languages spoken by students at home at least 30 days before a public meeting. Policies must be approved by a public resolution with 45 days notice and reviewed at least quarterly, with updates made through the same public process. This law directly affects school operations, ensuring consistent access and procedural transparency for all school community members.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Student Health Sanctuary Policies

All immigration bills