Immigration in Pennsylvania

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 902: An Act providing for the English language as the official language of the Commonwealth; and imposing a certain restriction on use of appropriated funds.

This bill designates English as the official language of Pennsylvania and requires state and local government official documents and actions to be in English. It prohibits government policies that favor non-English languages or diminish English's role, while explicitly exempting public safety, health, and justice situations where other languages are necessary. The legislation also restricts the use of state funds to promote or demonstrate preference for languages other than English, with exceptions for foreign language instruction, Native American language preservation, and international commerce. Private businesses and individuals retain the right to use any language they choose, and the law does not apply when federal law requires otherwise.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 903: An Act prohibiting the employment of unauthorized employees; requiring meat packing and food preparation industry employers to verify the Social Security numbers of employees; imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

This bill requires employers in Pennsylvania's meat packing and food preparation industries to verify the work authorization status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system. It applies specifically to businesses with 100 or more employees at a single facility or those licensed under state food safety and meat hygiene laws. Employers must keep verification records for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer, and the Department of Labor and Industry will be authorized to investigate complaints and inspect business records for compliance. The legislation prohibits knowingly hiring unauthorized employees and establishes a formal complaint process for individuals alleging violations. Penalties for non-compliance are imposed through existing state legal frameworks.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Work Authorization Labor Standards

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 905: An Act prohibiting the employment of unauthorized employees; requiring hotel and lodging industry employers to verify the Social Security numbers of employees; imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

This Pennsylvania bill requires hotels and lodgings with at least 150 rooms to verify the work authorization status of all employees through the federal E-Verify system and maintain verification records for at least three years or the duration of employment. The law prohibits employers from knowingly hiring individuals who lack legal permission to work in the United States and applies to staffing agencies supplying workers to the hotel industry. The Department of Labor and Industry will be tasked with investigating complaints about violations, conducting inspections of employer records, and interviewing relevant personnel. Employers who violate the prohibition face penalties, while individuals who knowingly submit false information in complaints could face criminal charges.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Work Authorization

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