May. 10, 2017
HARRISBURG – On Tuesday, the House State Government Committee approved Rep. Jerry Knowles’ (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill)
House Bill 14, which would prohibit any institution of higher education in Pennsylvania which deems itself a “sanctuary campus” from receiving state funding. Funding would be restored once the institution demonstrates compliance with the requirement of the law and provides proof the rule, order or policy has been rescinded.
“This bill is to encourage colleges and universities to comply with existing federal immigration laws,” Knowles said. “These institutions need to adhere to the rule of law, not pick and choose which laws they wish to follow. It’s very simple: If they want state funding, follow the rule of law.”
House Bill 14 defines an institution of higher education as a community college, an independent institution that is located in and incorporated or chartered by the Commonwealth, a state-owned institution or a state-related institution.
“By declaring themselves ‘sanctuary campuses,’ these institutions of higher learning are blatantly disregarding federal law, thumbing their noses at the taxpayers of Pennsylvania,” Knowles said. “It is unconscionable to turn a blind eye to the issue of illegal immigration on our college campuses.”
A sanctuary campus exists when the school’s administration adopts policies, rules or orders to refuse to allow federal authorities on campus without a warrant; directs campus law enforcement not to communicate, coordinate or cooperate with federal authorities regarding undocumented individuals on campus; and/or refuses to share information about undocumented students with federal agencies unless presented with some form of legal process.
For more information about this House Bill 14, or any other legislative topic, contact Knowles’ district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240, or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411. Information can also be found online at
RepKnowles.com or
Facebook.com/RepKnowles.
Representative Jerry Knowles
124th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Krisinda Corbin
717.705.2032
kcorbin@pahousegop.com
RepKnowles.com /
Facebook.com/RepKnowles