A Resolution condemning the use of deadly force by officers of Federal immigration enforcement in incidents that raise serious constitutional and moral concerns.

PRINTER'S NO. 1458
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 225
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY COLLETT, COSTA, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, SCHWANK,
SANTARSIERO, MILLER, CAPPELLETTI, COMITTA, FLYNN, FONTANA,
HAYWOOD, KANE, KEARNEY, KIM, MALONE, MUTH, PISCIOTTANO,
SAVAL, STREET, A. WILLIAMS AND L. WILLIAMS, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Condemning the use of deadly force by officers of Federal
immigration enforcement in incidents that raise serious
constitutional and moral concerns.
WHEREAS, The Constitution of the United States guarantees due
process, equal protection and freedom from unreasonable searches
and seizures to all persons within the jurisdiction of the
United States, including those within this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, While members of this Senate may hold differing
views about how Federal immigration laws should be enforced,
there must be broad consensus, grounded in constitutional
fidelity, that no policy objective justifies the abuse of power,
the erosion of civil liberties or the failure to respect basic
human dignity; and
WHEREAS, On January 7, 2026, officers of United States
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fatally shot Renée
Good in Minneapolis in circumstances that have raised profound
concerns about the use of deadly force during a Federal
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enforcement operation; and
WHEREAS, On January 24, 2026, Federal immigration enforcement
officers fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who
worked for the United States Veterans Affairs Administration who
was protesting the presence of ICE in Minnesota, intensifying
alarm over use-of-force practices and further eroding public
trust in constitutional protections; and
WHEREAS, Beyond these tragic deaths, reports and allegations
have emerged of individuals being detained without arrest,
bystanders and residents being pepper-sprayed or intimidated
during Federal enforcement operations and other confrontational
encounters that undermine public confidence and raise serious
questions about accountability and respect for civil liberties;
and
WHEREAS, The framers of the Constitution warned that
unchecked power without accountability threatens liberty, and
that government legitimacy rests upon adherence to
constitutional principles and the trust of the governed; and
WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly held
that constitutional protections apply to all persons within the
United States without regard to status or circumstance; and
WHEREAS, Public safety and national security are best served
when enforcement actions are conducted with professionalism,
restraint and full respect for constitutional rights; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
condemn the use of deadly force by officers of Federal
immigration enforcement in incidents that raise serious
constitutional and moral concerns; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of
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Pennsylvania:
(1) Demand impartial investigations of use of deadly
force by Federal agents and that anyone found to have acted
illegally be held accountable.
(2) Affirm that rights and protections derived from the
Constitution of the United States apply to all persons within
this Commonwealth and across the United States, and that no
Federal agency or officer is exempt from the obligations
imposed by the Constitution of the United States.
(3) Declare that the preservation of life, the
protection of civil liberties and the restraint of government
power are essential to the legitimacy of a free and
democratic society.
(4) Call upon the President of the United States,
the United States Attorney General, the Secretary of the
United States Department of Homeland Security and the
leadership of all Federal enforcement agencies
to immediately review and reform enforcement practices that
endanger the public or undermine constitutional rights.
(5) Urge the United States Congress to exercise its
oversight authority to investigate the use of force by
Federal enforcement officers, strengthen statutory safeguards
and ensure transparency and accountability.
(6) Reaffirm the Senate's commitment to the dignity,
safety and constitutional rights of all people residing
within this Commonwealth.
(7) Insist that public safety and national security are
best advanced when government officials at every level honor
their oath to the Constitution of the United States and the
American people;
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and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, the United States Attorney
General, the Secretary of the United States Department
of Homeland Security, the leadership of all Federal immigration
enforcement agencies, each member of Congress from Pennsylvania
and the Governor.
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