HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania House Republicans recently convened a press conference to address undocumented migrants in the state, fueled by what they say is the Biden administration’s failure to secure the southern border.

They introduced legislation to prohibit sanctuary cities or counties in Pennsylvania, saying they bring the national border to local neighborhoods.

Sanctuary cities limit their cooperation with the federal government in enforcing immigration law. They may prohibit police or city employees from questioning people about their immigration status. According to a list compiled by the Center for Immigration Studies and updated on April 12, Philadelphia and Lancaster, along with 13 counties (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Montour, and Northampton), offer .

The GOP lawmakers also seek stronger measures to address crime committed by undocumented migrants. This follows an incident in February in which seven undocumented migrants were charged with attacking two police officers in New York’s Times Square.

PA Rep. Martina White (R, Philadelphia) proposed legislation to require bail of $1 million for assaulting police officers.

PA Rep. Donna Scheuren (R, Montgomery) proposed legislation to crack down on squatters and to require that local authorities cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should a squatter be in the country illegally.