The Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) began nearly 30 years ago as a grassroots effort to support asylum seekers in local detention and has grown into a statewide nonprofit providing free, high-quality legal services to immigrants across Pennsylvania. We defend immigrants in deportation proceedings, represent asylum seekers and those detained by ICE, secure legal status for survivors of violence and trafficking, advocate for individuals with mental health barriers, and assist unaccompanied children. PIRC is one of the few providers in Pennsylvania with decades of experience inside detention centers, often offering immigrants their first opportunity to speak with an attorney before immigration court. Our work includes know-your-rights education, full-scope immigration legal defense, and advocacy for survivors of violence. We are driven by the belief that families should stay together, survivors should be safe, and every immigrant deserves due process and an advocate by their side.

In 2025, PIRC launched community efforts to create the South-Central PA Rapid Response Team (RRT), serving Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, and York counties. Since May, the team has operated a hotline staffed by trained community volunteers to support family members and loved ones affected by ICE detention. Hotline operators connect callers to resources for food, shelter, transportation, and other urgent needs, while directing legal assistance requests to PIRC’s Removal Defense and Community Response Programs.



To address the growing need for preparedness, the RRT also offers community informational sessions, providing knowledge and creating space for dialogue on planning in the event someone is detained or deported. The team holds legal clinics to help immigrant families gather important documents and complete forms so that children are cared for by trusted adults, finances are protected, and other critical matters are managed if a detention occurs. These proactive steps expand the RRT’s work beyond responding after a detention to active emergency planning. Informational sessions and legal clinics take place across the five counties served, and the team is always seeking additional pro bono attorneys and volunteers to join the effort!

Ali is from Afghanistan. During the war he worked for a U.S. based construction company. Based on his ties to the U.S., he was targeted by the Taliban. After the fall of Kabul, Ali and his family fled to the United States, settling in Philadelphia. The family promptly filed for asylum.

At the end of December, Ali was detained by ICE on his way to work. He was held without bail. Ali's PAIFUP attorney sued the government in federal court by filing a petition seeking a writ of habeas corpus. After just a few days, a federal judge ordered that the Immigration Court provide Ali with a bail hearing.  

At the bail hearing Ali's attorney demonstrated that Ali had a strong likelihood of succeeding in his asylum case and that he had considerable ties to the community. The Immigration Court granted bail to Ali so that he can continue preparing his asylum case while residing at home with his family.  

Carlos was first detained by ICE back in January 2025. Luckily our PAIFUP team got him released on bond in February 2025. Since then, he had attended ICE check-ins without issue. In January, PAIFUP received a call from his wife that ICE picked him up again outside of his home without explanation or a warrant.

Carlos was then transferred to the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. With the help from our PAIFUP team, his attorney filed a habeas petition with the Eastern District of PA requesting his immediate release. Just a week later the Judge granted the request, and he is now back at home with his family.