Harrisburg City Council is considering a groundbreaking ordinance that would prohibit city employees from cooperating with federal immigration authorities unless required by state or federal law.
The proposed legislation, set for discussion at Tuesday's (February 11) council meeting, would be the first to establish a city-wide policy on using local resources for federal immigration enforcement. If approved, the measure would prohibit police officers and other city employees from detaining individuals solely based on immigration status and block the use of city funds, property, or data to assist in immigration investigations.
"It's not the role of the city to volunteer information to immigration agents," said Councilwoman Ausha Green, who supports the measure.
The bill would also require federal immigration agents to obtain a judicial warrant before accessing non-public city facilities or individuals in city custody, according to ABC27.
Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter previously outlined his department's interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a January 20 council meeting.
"I can't say that we have not worked with ICE because if we come across a traffic stop and somebody is wanted by any federal entity, then we're obligated to contact that agency," Carter explained. He noted that while his officers have contacted ICE regarding detainers during traffic stops, they do not participate in ICE raids.
Immigration detainers are requests from ICE asking local law enforcement to hold a person up to 48 hours after their release date. Importantly, there is no federal, state, or local law requiring Harrisburg law enforcement to comply with these requests.
The proposal comes amid growing tensions between communities and federal immigration agents. More than 50 Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies have signed agreements to work with ICE, though most are sheriff's offices and rural police departments. Last month, York announced its police department would not enter into an agreement with ICE, citing concerns it would undermine police efforts in a city where more than 30% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.
The debate extends to the state level, where Pennsylvania House Democrats are introducing legislation to empower the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to receive complaints about civil liberties violations by ICE agents. State Representatives Paul Friel, Greg Scott, Abigail Salisbury, and Joe Hohenstein recently outlined their plan to protect residents and hold ICE accountable.
"The actions we've seen from ICE agents nationwide are traumatizing," said Rep. Scott. "Residents witnessing civil-liberties violations currently have no clear way to report these incidents safely."
The Harrisburg City Council plans to hear public comment on the proposal next week.