Pennsylvania’s participation in the International Justice and Public Safety Network must be preserved, according to U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Glen “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and several other GOP members representing the state.
Also commonly known as the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (Nlets), the network is a secure, state-managed law enforcement network connecting more than 45,000 agencies nationwide, allowing officers to quickly share critical public-safety information, such as driver’s license data, vehicle registrations, criminal histories, and warrants.
“Nlets works to connect local law enforcement with federal agencies,” Rep. Kelly said on Dec. 23, 2025. “As the federal government cracks down on illegal immigration and crime in cities nationwide, including right here in Pennsylvania, it’s imperative that our local and federal agencies have the ability to work together quickly and efficiently.”
Rep. Thompson pointed out that the International Justice and Public Safety Network has been an effective resource for law enforcement agencies at every level.
“Sharing secure information helps law enforcement apprehend fugitives and supports efforts in missing persons cases,” he said. “Any restrictions to these programs will hinder the efforts of law enforcement to keep Pennsylvania safe.”
In November 2025, a group of Democrats urged Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to restrict Nlets information from being shared with certain federal law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“Any attempt to restrict federal access to Nlets in order to block enforcement of federal law would significantly slow investigations, put Pennsylvanians at risk, and shift the burden of processing requests onto state agencies, including the DMV and state police without improving public safety,” wrote Reps. Kelly, Thompson, Reschenthaler, Fitzpatrick and their colleagues in a Dec. 19, 2025 letter sent to Gov Shapiro.
“Limiting access would also disrupt real-time collaboration with federal and out-of-state law enforcement, hinder cross-jurisdictional investigations, and create operational gaps that could have severe consequences for community safety,” according to the letter, which was also signed by members including U.S. Reps. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), and John Joyce (R-PA).
The lawmakers added that they are “deeply alarmed” by the prospect of altering Pennsylvania’s participation in Nlets for partisan or political reasons, according to their letter.
“This system is a proven and essential tool that protects Pennsylvanians, supports the swift apprehension of dangerous individuals, and ensures law enforcement agencies can coordinate effectively across jurisdictions,” they wrote. “Any effort to curtail or restrict participation would place the safety of residents and officers at unnecessary risk.”
Rep. Reschenthaler also added that efforts by Democrats to shield criminal illegal aliens and restrict Pennsylvania’s participation in Nlets undermine public safety.
“I am proud to join my Pennsylvania Republican colleagues in urging Gov. Shapiro to continue the commonwealth’s participation in this critical public safety program,” he said.
Rep. Fitzpatrick added that Nlets provides the data that officers depend on every day in the field.
“Limiting access would slow apprehensions, disrupt multi-agency investigations, and needlessly increase risk to officer safety and the public, without any public-safety benefits,” said the congressman. “This would be a step backward for law enforcement and a risk Pennsylvania should not take.”