HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania House Democrats on Sunday introduced a resolution urging Congress to withhold additional federal appropriations for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement until new accountability and safety measures are adopted.
The resolution was introduced by state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, and follows two fatal federal enforcement incidents in Minneapolis in January 2026. Lawmakers cited the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents and the earlier death of U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good, who was shot during a separate immigration enforcement operation.
“As a nurse and a lawmaker, I am grieving the loss of innocent life at the hands of federal agents,” Khan said. “These deaths were avoidable. No community should wake up to another killing in broad daylight.”
The resolution calls for Congress to condition future DHS and ICE funding on the adoption of enforceable use-of-force standards, independent investigations of serious incidents involving federal agents, visible identification requirements during enforcement actions, timely public release of body-camera footage following deaths or serious injuries, strengthened civil rights protections within DHS, and full cooperation with state and local authorities when shootings or other uses of force occur.
Khan criticized the federal administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, arguing that current policies rely too heavily on force. “We deserve safety, transparency, and answers,” he said. “Violence, fear, and abuse of power have no place in a democratic society.”
State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, said immigration policy plays a central role in Pennsylvania’s future.
“Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn as a welcoming place for all,” Venkat said. “Immigration is the only source of population growth in our state.”
Venkat said he supports reforms that balance border security with expanded legal immigration pathways. “We need secure borders, more channels of legal immigration, and a process for regularizing undocumented immigrants who are working, paying taxes, and raising families in our community,” he said.
State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, said the resolution is intended to promote accountability while recognizing the role of law enforcement.
“As the proud son and grandson of police officers, I know that law enforcement is an essential and honorable profession,” Takac said. “However, with great power comes great responsibility.”
State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, said the deaths raise broader concerns about civil liberties.
“One of our most fundamental values as Americans is a steadfast commitment to civil liberties,” Friel said. “We must demand accountability.”
State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, said lawmakers have a responsibility to act. “We must meet this moment using every legal tool at our disposal,” Pielli said.
Sponsors of the resolution include Khan; Roni Green, Jose Giral, Mary Isaacson, Malcolm Kenyatta, and Morgan Cephas, all D-Philadelphia; Venkat, D-Allegheny; Friel and Pielli, both D-Chester; Takac, D-Centre; Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks; Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster; Tarah Probst, D-Monroe and Pike; Lisa Borowski and Greg Vitali, both D-Delaware; and Ben Sanchez, D-Montgomery.
Khan called on members of the Pennsylvania House to support the resolution and urged Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to link future DHS and ICE funding to the adoption of the proposed reforms.
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