For years, federal policy recognized houses of worship as sacred spaces where immigration enforcement activity should not occur. Recent actions in Washington have removed those guardrails, allowing enforcement actions to take place in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other sacred spaces.

No one should fear arrest while attending religious services, seeking pastoral counseling, bringing their children to worship or receive religious instruction, or mourning at a funeral. Houses of worship are pillars of our communities. They provide spiritual guidance, food assistance, shelter, counseling, education, and critical social supports.

This bill is about protecting religious liberty, public safety, and basic dignity. Faith communities should be allowed to focus on ministry and service, not forced to endure immigration enforcement activity.

This legislation establishes clear guardrails under Pennsylvania law. It prohibits state and local agencies, officers, and employees from assisting or participating in civil immigration enforcement actions in and around houses of worship absent a valid judicial warrant. It also bars the use of state and local resources to facilitate such enforcement activity in these sacred spaces.

Pennsylvania cannot control federal immigration policy. But we can determine how our own state and local resources are used. This bill ensures that our Commonwealth does not facilitate civil immigration enforcement in houses of worship and affirms Pennsylvania’s commitment to religious freedom and community safety.

Please join us in cosponsoring this important legislation.