ICE Arrests in Pittsburgh Are Up. Here's What To Know
ICE arrests in Western PA have more than doubled since this time last year, and most of the people being detained have never been charged with or convicted of a crime. From a high-profile raid at Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar to arrests outside of courtrooms, ICE enforcement is causing fear and confusion in Pittsburgh's immigrant communities. Meanwhile, several local law enforcement agencies are signing up to partner with ICE, which is slated to receive an additional $75 billion under President Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
With all of this underway, we're bringing back our conversation with Vanessa Stine, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania. She joins us to explain what happens during an ICE stop or raid, what rights immigrants have regardless of their legal status, and how bystanders can help during an ICE encounter.
Read or listen to a summary of this conversation in Spanish.
**This episode originally published on April 2, 2025.
Looking for more help and resources?
- The ACLU of Pennsylvania has Know Your Rights guides available in English and Spanish.
- If you believe you've witnessed ICE activity in the Pittsburgh area or have any other concerns, you can call the main line at Casa San José: 412-343-3111.
- If you are experiencing ICE detention, you can call their emergency response line: 412-736-7167.
- Find the latest data on ICE arrests and removals at TRAC.
Learn more about the sponsors of this July 14th episode:
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Paid Parental Leave Proposal Gets a Makeover
After weighing over 1,400 public comments — mostly from parents, health care workers, and small business owners — the county health depar...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Philly Is Reducing Violence With Parks — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Would Pittsburgh be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime...
Ripping Out Skill Games, Mandatory Fun & RIP Annie Dillard
Will state police start ripping skill games out of convenience stores, vape shops, and other spots? That's what could happen if lawmakers...
Pittsburgh Restaurant Empires, Explained
Did you know a ton of Pittsburgh's most influential dining spots are run by the same six restaurant groups? Some are massive, some are lo...
Measles, Go-Karts & Wylie’s Opening Lineup
Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is getting worse. At least four people have died and nearly 700 cases are being tracked statewide. Host M...
What To Do During an ICE Encounter in Pittsburgh
Community leaders and business owners in Beechview — the heart of Pittsburgh's Latino community — say ICE activity has been increasi...
Won't You Be a Reader? The Campaign to Raise Lifelong Readers {SPONSORED}
On this bonus episode sponsored by the Grable Foundation, we're talking about a local push to make sure every child has access to the boo...
Does Pittsburgh Have the Meats? A Guide to Pittsburgh BBQ
Can Pittsburgh hold its own when it comes to barbecue? We definitely don’t have the smoked-meat reputation of Texas or the Carolinas, but...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Las Vegas Is Handling Record-Breaking Heat — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already s...
Iceburgh Loaf Pan, Fetterman's GOP Lovefest & Pittsburgh Remembers 9/11
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Western PA was directly affected: one of the hijacked planes crashed...