Pielli introduces bill to protect Pennsylvanians against unlawful searches and seizures

Rep. Chris Pielli    October 20, 2025 | 10:13 AM

WEST CHESTER, Oct. 20 – State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, is introducing legislation that reinforces the protections against unlawful searches and seizures provided by the constitutions of both the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Art. 1 Sect. 8). Specifically, Pielli’s legislation will create a cause of action against anyone, whether or not acting under the color of law, who interferes with a person’s rights through unlawful detention, violence, threat, intimidation, or coercion.

Pielli says the legislation is in response to the growing amount of citizen claims that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are making warrantless and violent arrests of individuals who are legal residents and/or U.S. Citizens with proper identification. These arrests can lead to the unlawful detainment of people in immigration detention centers, in some cases up to multiple days.  

“The eyes of history are upon us as to whether we will continue to defend our sacred rights and liberties,” Pielli said.  “As state lawmakers, we have a duty to protect the residents of the Commonwealth from illegal and violent overreach by any government officials now, just as we did over two centuries ago. I look forward to my colleagues’ support of this legislation to make all Pennsylvanians feel secure in their rights against unreasonable, unlawful, and unconscionable imprisonment and seizure of property.”

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