Pennsylvania Bill Requires Prosecutors to Notify ICE of Noncitizen Criminal Defendants

Original title: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to criminal proceedings, providing for citizenship status of criminal defendants.

Last action · March 3, 2025: Referred to JUDICIARY, March 3, 2025Sponsors: Jim Rigby and 17 others

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Floor Vote

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What This Bill Would Do

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania must notify United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement if they obtain information indicating a criminal defendant is not a U.S. citizen or is present in violation of federal immigration law, taking effect in 60 days.

Why it matters

The measure shifts reporting duties for local prosecutors handling criminal cases, establishing a mandatory communication channel with federal immigration authorities upon the discovery of a defendant's citizenship status.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

attorneys for the Commonwealth

Prosecutors are required to notify United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement upon obtaining information that a defendant is not a U.S. citizen or is in violation of immigration laws.

Directly affected

criminal defendants

Defendants identified as noncitizens or present in violation of federal immigration law will have their information transmitted by prosecutors to federal immigration authorities.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to notify federal immigration authorities under this bill?

An is required to notify United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

At what stage of a criminal proceeding does this reporting requirement apply?

The requirement applies if information is obtained at any point during the course of a criminal proceeding.

When does the act take effect?

The act takes effect in 60 days.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action

Mar 3, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to JUDICIARY, March 3, 2025

Version history

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