Harrisburg council reads immigration-related ordinance; speakers urge stronger protections
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Summary
Clerk read Bill 1 (a proposed ordinance limiting city intervention in immigration matters) and council moved it to the public safety committee; many residents urged more robust protections, including community-drafted alternatives, and cited national examples of harm in ICE custody.
Clerk read Bill 1 of 2026 into the record as a first reading: an amendment to the administrative code establishing a framework to restrict and otherwise limit city intervention in matters regarding immigration status. The ordinance was assigned to the public safety committee for further review and public input at an upcoming work session.
Multiple speakers during public comment urged the council to strengthen the draft before it proceeds. Brian Kiesling of Midtown said the current draft "doesn't stop ICE from doing anything" and urged the mayor's office and council to pursue stronger, more protective language or consider the community's alternate draft modeled on "welcoming-city" initiatives. Kia Fowler and others cited national detention statistics and examples of alleged mistreatment in ICE custody, and asked that the ordinance include proactive protections to prevent detention, deportation or local cooperation that could harm residents.
Gabriel Guevara and others also urged the council to review a community-drafted ordinance that they say gives the city more room to protect residents; several speakers asked that the city consider banning federal immigration agents from public property and explore existing city-code avenues to limit enforcement activities. Councilwoman Ross announced that Bill 1 will be discussed in the next work session (Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.) and invited public input before further committee action.
No committee decision was recorded this evening; Bill 1 was referred to the public safety committee for detailed review.