Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – March 2, 2026 – To prevent Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from making warrantless arrests in places that should be sheltered for everyone in Pennsylvania, Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery) introduced Senate Bill 1193.
This legislation would prevent civil immigration arrests on or within 300 meters of Commonwealth-owned premises and premises owned or leased by political subdivisions, unless authorized by a court order. It would also allow anyone who was wrongfully arrested to file a lawsuit.
“We have all seen ICE agents kidnap, terrorize and even kill our neighbors. While Republicans in Washington have failed to stop the president’s secret police, our state legislature has every right to fill the gaps and protect our residents.” – said Senator Cappelletti. “Instead of advocating for due process and the rule of law, federal Republicans have denied reality and emboldened ICE agents with exorbitant funding while refusing to negotiate any measures to address accountability for federal agents’ conduct. It is time for the Commonwealth to take action in the absence of compassionate federal policy or everyone Congressional intervention.”
In January 2025, the Trump administration issued a directive allowing immigration authorities to enter schools, health care facilities, places of worship and other protected sensitive places. Just months after issuing the directive, the administration implemented a recent limit of 3,000 people per day on immigration arrests.
Pennsylvanians have witnessed an enhance in ICE activity across the Commonwealth since that amount became an ICE target and Pennsylvania continues to do so prepare for a raise in more unlawful arrests and detentions.
“It’s just everywhere. I mean, Norristown is under siege for most of the year. It just doesn’t attract the spotlight,” Jasmine Rivera, executive director of the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, said in an interview PennLive.
Senate Bill 1193 seeks to directly address this enhance in ICE activity by ensuring the security and accessibility of the Commonwealth’s space. The spaces this legislation would protect include:
- Commonwealth facilities owned, leased or occupied by: An agency or department over which the Governor exercises executive authority; a public benefit company, public body, board or commission for which the Governor appoints a chairman, general director or a majority of the members of the management body. Examples include, but are not restricted to, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation buildings, state museums, and the Pennsylvania Capitol.
- Objects of political division: This includes any counties, cities, townships, incorporated towns, counties, school districts, vocational school districts, and buildings owned or leased by county agencies. Examples include county courts, public schools, and municipal buildings.
Similar laws were already implemented and kept in force despite legal challenges from the federal government in 2010 New York, CaliforniaAND Illinois.
“The Trump administration has repeatedly refused to act within the law – and therefore the basic principles of human morality. The courts have come back and confirmed that states have a solid legal foundation on which to rely to fight his racist, authoritarian agenda. This that’s why we need this legislation,” – said Senator Cappelletti. “While the federal government continues to threaten the fundamental rights, dignity and safety of our neighbors, in Pennsylvania we have the power to ensure they fail. This bill is a step forward in achieving exactly that goal.”
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