(The Center Square) – Invoking the state and national history of immigration, beginning with the welcome offered by William Penn, some Pennsylvania elected officials want to pass new laws that counter the federal government’s recent deportation efforts.
The PA Welcoming Caucus held a press conference skewering the Trump administration’s immigration policies, of which Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Philadelphia, said are intended to “erect a chilling order of terror and inquisition” across the United States.
Among the bills is the PA DREAM Act proposed by Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Reading, who has proposed the same legislation several times. It would allow non-citizens who have completed a minimum of their final two years of high school in Pennsylvania to receive in-state tuition when attending state-supported schools and be eligible for financial aid.
“We reject the fear-mongering and hateful rhetoric used against our immigrant communities every day,” said Schwank. “They’re a distraction from the real problems working class individuals face.”
A bill concurrent with the same proposal last year failed to make it through as independent legislation, but was successfully integrated into the state school code. It allows non-citizens to receive teaching certification in the state. Since the change, a graduate of Reading High School has gone on to become the first non-citizen teacher in Pennsylvania at her own alma mater.
A partner on the legislation, Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, addressed the audience in Spanish and English. A child of immigrants, she called on her colleagues to create opportunities for immigrants because “every immigrant that comes into this country is in pursuit of the American dream. They don’t want handouts.”
This sentiment was affirmed by Rwamucyo Karekezi of Church World Services. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he spent over 20 years in a refugee camp before traveling to the U.S. where he was given refugee status.
In the camp, Karekezi said, “There is nothing. You cannot dream.” He emphasized that historically for many immigrants and refugees, the choice to leave their country has not been a happy one, forced to leave their homes due to political and economic instability.
“Who are you welcoming? People like me who did not have the choice to live in their county. No one wants to leave their country,” said Karekezi.
Rep. Izzy Smith Wade-El spoke about legislation instituting an Office of New Pennsylvanians, which would help coordinate services and advocate for immigrants. He called it an “obligation to reflect our values in our government and our legislation.”
“When we take seriously our economy, we are going to take seriously the rights of immigrants and refugees because we need our hospitals. We need our child care centers. We need our agricultural and lumber products,” said Wade-El. “And when we take seriously our moral obligation and our traditions as Pennsylvanians, we will advance legislation just like this to make sure that just as we have been welcomed to this commonwealth, we are able to welcome others.”
Another proposed bill would help non-citizens obtain driver’s licenses and other forms of identification, in direct opposition to a constitutional amendment proposed for the ballot by Rep. Donna Scheuren, R-Gilbertsville, which would ban the already illegal practice.
Highlighting that most non-citizens still pay taxes and make vital contributions to the economy, Sen. Sharif Street noted that, “What is morally right in this case is also in the economic interest of the commonwealth.”
Maria Hernandez of Make the Road addressed the audience in Spanish about her own experience working and living in Pennsylvania. Hernandez has been a Reading resident for 30 years, working in the mushroom fields. Her words were later translated by Make the Road’s deputy organizing director, Armando Jiminez.
“Right wing extremists, their goal is mass detention and deportation, tearing apart legal protections like DACA, gutting the asylum rights, and actively criminalizing our immigrant communities. These attacks are real, coordinated, and already happening in our neighborhoods,” said Hernandez. “I’m reminding you today that a civil violation does not make someone a criminal. As immigrants, we are essential contributors to our communities.”
Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia, closed with “one final message, especially for our president and people who would follow him blindly into this area.” assuring Hernandez and others like her that their aspirations would be uplifted in America.
“When you throw your stones of fear and chaos, we’re just gonna catch them and throw them back down to the ground. If you shoot your arrows of hatred, we will break them on our knees,” said Hohenstein. “Our hopes, our dreams, are stronger than your fear, your chaos, and your hatred.”
