Harrisburg, PA – March 2, 2026 – To prevent Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from making warrantless arrests in spaces that should be safe for everyone in Pennsylvania, Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery) introduced Senate Bill 1193.
This legislation would prevent civil immigration arrests inside, or within 1,000 feet of, Commonwealth owned facilities and facilities owned or leased by political subdivisions unless authorized by a judicial warrant. It would further allow anyone subjected to an unlawful arrest to sue.
“We have all seen ICE agents kidnap, terrorize, and even kill our neighbors. While Republicans in Washington fail to rein in the President’s secret police force, our state legislature is well within our right to fill the gaps and protect our residents,” Senator Cappelletti said. “Instead of standing up for due process and the rule of law, federal Republicans have denied reality and emboldened ICE agents with exorbitant funding, all while refusing to negotiate on any sort of accountability measures for federal agents’ behavior. It is time for the Commonwealth to act in the absence of compassionate federal policy or any Congressional intervention.”
In January 2025, the Trump administration issued a directive allowing immigration authorities to enter schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and other protected sensitive locations. Just a few months following the directive, the administration implemented a new 3,000 per day quota for immigration arrests.
Pennsylvanians have witnessed a surge in ICE activity across the Commonwealth since that quota became ICE’s targeted goal, and Pennsylvania has continued to prepare for an increase in more unlawful arrests and detentions.
“It’s just everywhere. I mean, Norristown has been under siege for the better part of a year. It’s just not getting the flashy attention,” said Jasmine Rivera, Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition Executive Director, in an interview with PennLive.
Senate Bill 1193 seeks to address this increase in ICE activity head on by ensuring Commonwealth spaces remain safe and accessible. Spaces that 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 corporation, public authority, board, or commission for which the Governor appoints the chairperson, chief executive officer or a majority of the members of the governing body. Examples include but are not limited to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation buildings, state museums, and the Pennsylvania Capitol Building.
- Political subdivision facilities: Which includes any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township, school district, vocational school district and county institution owned or leased building. Examples include but are not limited to county courthouses, public schools, and municipal buildings.
Similar legislation has already been put into place and upheld against legal challenges from the federal government in New York, California, and Illinois.
“The Trump administration has repeatedly refused to operate within the bounds of the law—and basic human morality for that matter. The courts have come back and affirmed that states have a solid legal foundation to stand on when combatting his racist, authoritarian agenda. That is why we need this legislation,” Senator Cappelletti said. “While the federal government continues to threaten our neighbors’ fundamental rights, dignity, and safety, we have the power in Pennsylvania to ensure they do not succeed. This bill is a step forward in doing exactly that.”
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