Bill > HB403

This bill establishes a legal framework for immigration enforcement and cooperation in Pennsylvania, preventing municipalities from creating policies that limit local law enforcement's ability to assist federal immigration authorities. The legislation requires local law enforcement agencies, correctional institutions, and judicial staff to comply with federal immigration detainer requests, share information about individuals in custody, and cooperate with agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Municipalities are prohibited from creating "sanctuary" policies that restrict immigration law enforcement, and individuals can sue municipalities that do not comply, potentially receiving damages up to $1,000,000 per day. The bill creates an Immigration Cooperation Fund, which will receive monetary penalties and use those funds to provide grants to law enforcement agencies for immigration law cooperation. The Attorney General is mandated to defend local agencies facing civil actions related to good-faith compliance with immigration enforcement. The law includes protections against discriminatory enforcement based on race, color, religion, language, or national origin, and provides an exception for individuals who can prove U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2026, or immediately, whichever is later, and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found invalid, the remaining provisions can still be enforced.

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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=403