Proposed Pa. Senate Bill Calls for Law Enforcement to Notify Federal Authorities of Undocumented Immigrant Arrests
Pennsylvania Capitol Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – The Pennsylvania Senate is pushing a plan that would lead to the deportation of more illegal immigrants if it is approved by the entire Legislature.
The bill, SB 1127, would mandate that district attorneys in Pennsylvania report all unauthorized immigrants detained in the state to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
ICE would need to be informed by municipalities about undocumented immigrants who are charged with summary offenses like loitering or disorderly conduct, as well as those who are charged with crimes but are not found guilty, according to the current version of the measure.
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With two votes in favor and one against, the bill was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday on a party-line vote. On Wednesday, there will be a third vote.
Sen. Wayne Langerholc, a Republican from Clearfield, who is also a sponsor of the bill, stated that “this isn’t just a Pennsylvania issue, it’s a nationwide issue.”
State Senate Democrats’ spokeswoman remained silent.
The death of Laken Riley, a Georgia college student whose murder became a flashpoint after her name was yelled by a Republican representative during President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address, was one of the reasons Langerholc and lead sponsor Sen.
Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) included in their March memo about the necessity for such a bill. The person who is suspected of killing Riley is an illegal immigrant.
A Georgia college student’s murder is connected to the immigration measure that the US House approved.
Undocumented immigrants are less likely than Americans born in America to commit crimes, according to numerous studies.
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The memo also coincided with the adoption of a “Welcoming city” policy by Lancaster’s City Council, which aimed to guarantee that the city’s undocumented residents may engage with local law enforcement without worrying about being reported to immigration enforcement authorities.
The ordinance reflects a “commitment to protect those facing violence, sexual assault, or workplace injuries” who may otherwise be afraid to involve law enforcement, according to a March column written by Lancaster City Councilor Janet Diaz in response to criticisms from Republican state senators among others.
The difficulties faced by people who entered the nation illegally and humanitarian concerns are just two of the many issues taken into account in the complex discussion surrounding immigration policy, the author said.
The article Pennsylvania Capital-Star titled “Pa. Senate bill would require law enforcement to notify federal authorities of arrests of undocumented immigrants” was originally published.