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Reading, PA Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Enacted
Ord. No. 65-2025, 10-27-2025
Core rule
No inquiry into immigration status
Detainer policy
No hold on detainer alone
Exception
State/federal law or court order
Complaint venue
Police Dept. or city HR

Summary

Reading's Welcoming City ordinance bars city officials and police from asking about immigration status or supporting ICE detainers absent a warrant or court order.

No official or employee of the City shall inquire into an individual's citizenship or immigration status, unless required to do so by state or federal law or court order. ... No official, employee, or agency shall stop, arrest, detain, or continue to detain a person after that person becomes eligible for release from custody or would otherwise be free to leave an encounter with an agency or agent, based on any of the following: (a) an immigration detainer; (b) an administrative warrant; or (c) other immigration enforcement document.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-8: Current through August 10, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Adopted 10-27-2025 by Ord. No. 65-2025 as Chapter 586 of the Code, Reading's Welcoming City law bars officials and employees, including Police, from inquiring into, recording, or disclosing anyone's citizenship or immigration status unless state or federal law or a court order requires it. City agencies may not hold someone past their release date on an ICE detainer or administrative warrant alone, assist ICE traffic perimeters or interrogations, or let ICE access city databases or facilities for enforcement.

Violations & Fines

Not fined; residents file a civilian complaint with the Reading Police Department for officer conduct, or with city Human Resources for other staff, under § 586-103.G.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Reading police ask about my immigration status during a stop?
No. Section 586-103 bars officials from inquiring into citizenship or immigration status unless state or federal law or a court order requires it.
Can Reading police hold someone just because ICE requests a detainer?
No. The ordinance bars continued detention based solely on an immigration detainer, administrative warrant, or other immigration enforcement document.

Sources & Official References

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All Reading rules

Compare Reading to another location·View the Pennsylvania immigration policy overview

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