HARRISBURG – Fayette County Rep. Ryan Warner has reintroduced a bill that would prevent PA municipalities and counties from designating themselves as “sanctuary cities” for illegal immigrants. A “sanctuary city” is one in which mayors and other elected officials have prevented their police from honoring an immigration detainer by failing to notify agents of the Department of Homeland Security of the pending release of an individual who has a detainer issued. Warner said community leaders who ignore the laws on immigration are risking the safety of their residents. Warner emphasized his bill addresses only people who are in the country illegally and that he supports legal immigration. House Bill 403 would also require a law enforcement officer who has reasonable cause to believe an individual being arrested is not legally present in the United States to notify the appropriate Immigration and Customs Enforcement office within the Department of Homeland Security. The bill also would grant legal standing to any person injured to sue a municipality or county that released an individual with a detainer and did not make a good faith effort to contact the proper immigration authorities and arrange for a transfer of custody. The bill is before the House Judiciary Committee.
REP. RYAN WARNER