Statement from the chair, vice chair, and secretary of Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus on the events in Minnesota
PA Legislative Latino Caucus January 26, 2026 | 2:13 PM
HARRISBURG, Jan. 26 - The chair, vice-chair, and secretary of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus issued the following statement today in response to another fatal incident involving federal immigration enforcement personnel in Minnesota:
“Once again, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agents operating under this administration have demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life and community safety. These actions are not isolated -- they reflect a broader pattern of aggressive, militarized immigration enforcement that terrorizes communities, undermines public trust, and endangers both civilians and legitimate law enforcement officers.
“ICE agents frequently misrepresent themselves as law enforcement and employ tactics that erode trust and interfere with the work of state and local police, whose duty is to protect all Pennsylvanians.
“We categorically reject the false choice between public safety and immigrant rights. True public safety is built through transparency, accountability, restraint, and respect for due process -- not fear, intimidation, or lethal force. The escalation of violence linked to federal immigration operations should alarm every Pennsylvanian, regardless of immigration status.
“Our congressional delegation continues to be obstructed by an administration that shows little regard for checks and balances or the rule of law. We urge U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick to vote NO on the FY 2026 Department of Homeland Security funding bill.
“Here in Pennsylvania, we must act. The Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus calls on House leadership to immediately advance legislation that protects immigrant communities and reject policies that entangle our Commonwealth in harmful federal immigration enforcement. These bills deserve a vote on the House floor -- specifically, we urge legislative leaders to prioritize:”
- H.B. 1113, by state Rep. Ismail Smith Wade-El, to establish an Office of New Pennsylvanians to coordinate statewide immigrant integration, protect newcomers’ rights, and strengthen economic and community resilience.
- H.B. 1281, by state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, to help victims of crime secure legal status.
- H.B. 1518, by state Rep. Danilo Burgos, to expand driver’s licenses for all -contributing to real public safety.
- H.B. 1873, by Rep. Abigail Salisbury, to prohibit the Pennsylvania State Police from performing immigration arrests.
- H.B. 1880, by state Rep. Paul Friel, the Officer Visibility Act, to prohibit the use of face coverings or masks by federal law enforcement officials.
- H.B. 1968, by state Rep. Chris Pielli, to hold ICE accountable for unlawful search and seizure practices.
- Legislation to guarantee access to legal counsel for immigrants facing detention or deportation.
“We also call on Governor Josh Shapiro to use the full scope of his executive and administrative authority to protect immigrant communities, including ending collaboration with ICE and prohibiting the sharing of sensitive personal data with federal immigration authorities.
“The Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus stands in solidarity with the communities impacted by the ongoing federal immigration enforcement surge -- including the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal immigration agents, which marks the latest in a series of deadly incidents drawing national outrage and calls for accountability.
“We remain steadfast in advancing policies rooted in dignity, due process, and humanity, and we will continue fighting for our immigrant neighbors in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.”