The debate over immigration enforcement in Pennsylvania continues to linger, and on Tuesday, its latest chapter unfolded on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol.
Advocates and Democratic lawmakers rallied to push for a series of bills that would restrict the operation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Commonwealth.
The proposals include banning ICE agents from schools and polling places, prohibiting agents from wearing masks while conducting enforcement actions and limiting cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and ICE.
Supporters of the legislation argued the measures are necessary to protect immigrant communities from what they describe as aggressive enforcement tactics.
“These are sensitive civic spaces where people are seeking help, they’re seeking justice and they’re seeking community,” said State Sen. Tim Kearney (D-Delaware). “These are not places for masked agents to be hiding in the shadows to grab mothers and fathers, to tear families apart and to drag ordinary people to detention or extralegal gulags.”
The rally comes as immigration enforcement remains a major topic of debate nationwide. The U.S. House is expected to approve a $70 billion package for immigration enforcement as part of its reconciliation package.
Meanwhile, proposed ICE processing facilities in Berks and Schuylkill counties continue to generate opposition from immigration advocates.
Conservatives are pushing back on the notion that Pennsylvanians are less safe because of ICE.
Conservative commentator and Broad + Liberty writer Guy Ciarrocchi said regulating a federal agency is not a power that should belong to the state and argued Pennsylvania should be working with ICE rather than against it.
“It’s not safe for everyday citizens, it’s not safe for law enforcement. It doesn’t even protect people’s First Amendment rights,” Ciarrocchi said. “The way to do this is cooperation, not for legislators to tell police officers how to do their jobs.”
Advocates at Tuesday’s rally said immigrant communities will remain vulnerable if ICE’s authority is not curtailed.
“We cannot let ICE divide us. We cannot let ICE question our humanity, and we cannot let ICE terrorize our schools, hospitals and our neighbors,” said Robin Gurung, co-founder and co-executive director of Asian Refugees United.
Opponents of the proposed legislation maintain that immigration enforcement agencies should be trusted to carry out their duties and that cooperation between local, state and federal authorities is essential to public safety.
“Everyone watching this show knows common sense,” Ciarrocchi said. “Let police officers do their job, let them protect us. The same goes for ICE. When there’s cooperation, everybody’s safe.”