Harrisburg, Pa. − March 18, 2026 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Caucus Chair), in partnership with members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, has announced a package of proposed legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from ICE-related violence and overreach.
In recent months, federal agents, operating under the banners of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, have threatened, maimed, battered, and killed Americans exercising their rights under the Constitution. About 6 in 10 U.S. adults across ideological lines think the Trump Administration has gone too far in sending federal immigration agents into American cities.
“Americans know that Trump is lying when he says ICE is going after ‘the worst of the worst,’” said Collett. “We have watched as masked agents carry out militarized raids in grocery stores and apartment complexes, as protesters are intimidated and killed on city streets. When the federal government betrays our shared American values, Pennsylvania must step up to protect our people and preserve the rule of law.”
Senator Collett’s proposed legislation includes:
- Affirming Constitutional Rights and Condemning Unconstitutional Use of Force by Federal Immigration Officers
- Led by Senator Collett alongside Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, and co-prime-sponsored by an overwhelming majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus, this resolution responds to the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers and a broader pattern of enforcement actions that raise serious constitutional concerns. The resolution affirms that constitutional protections — including due process, equal protection, and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures — apply to every person in Pennsylvania and across the United States, regardless of status. It condemns the use of deadly force in incidents that raise serious constitutional and moral questions, demands impartial investigations and accountability for unlawful actions, and calls on federal leadership and Congress to immediately review, reform, and exercise oversight over enforcement practices that endanger the public or erode civil liberties.
- Safeguarding the Rule of Law by Increasing Penalties for the Manipulation of State Investigations
- Following violence in Minnesota streets, local and state authorities attempted to conduct independent investigations only to be blocked by the Trump Administration. Introduced with Senator Patty Kim, this legislation would strengthen state criminal and civil penalties for knowingly destroying, concealing, or manipulating evidence, or otherwise interfering with a lawful state investigation.
- Safeguarding the Rule of Law by Asserting Joint Control Over Crime Scenes
- Introduced with Senator Patty Kim, this bill would strengthen the authority of state and local jurisdictions to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute alleged criminal conduct including incidents involving the use of excessive force by federal agents.
- Ensuring State Oversight of Detention Facilities in Pennsylvania
- This legislation would empower and require the Department of Corrections to establish a uniform system of licensure, inspection, and accountability ensuring that all qualifying detention facilities in Pennsylvania operate responsibly and in accordance with the values we expect of any institution entrusted with such profound authority.
Collett added: “The people of Pennsylvania deserve transparency, accountability, justice and safety. The bills I’m proposing aim to preserve the integrity of state enforcement and safeguard our most fundamental freedoms.”
For more information on what Senator Collett is doing to protect Pennsylvanians from ICE, how residents can help, and “Know Your Rights” resources, Senator Collett has launched a public toolkit on her website, SenatorCollett.com/ICE.
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