PHILADELPHIA ELECTED LEADERS INTRODUCE “ICE OUT” LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

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Philadelphia, PA — Minority Leader Kendra Brooks and Democratic Councilmember At-Large Rue Landau announced a collaborative package of legislation titled ICE OUT. Hundreds of Philadelphians gathered outside City Hall in freezing temperatures to show their support. Written with a coalition of immigration and community advocates, this comprehensive set of bills strengthens Philadelphia’s Welcoming City policies, protects personal data and civil rights, and aims to keep residents safe from violent federal immigration enforcement. 

“When federal agents are terrorizing our communities and executing American citizens in the streets, we must take action,” said Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large). “With this ICE OUT legislation, we are doing everything within the City’s power to limit ICE activity in Philadelphia. Staying silent is not an option.”  

“Fear is not public safety, trust is,” said Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large). “Philadelphia has a responsibility to lead when the federal government abandons accountability and the rule of law, and today with our ICE OUT legislation we are making clear that our city will stand with immigrant communities and push ICE out of our neighborhoods.” 

This legislation was crafted in collaboration with several immigrant advocacy organizations including Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, Make the Road Pennsylvania, and others.  

“I am here today, as an immigrant, as a Black woman and as a domestic worker to say that ICE makes us all less safe,” said Sandra Bryant-Downie, a member of the National Domestic Workers Alliance – Pennsylvania Chapter. “My fellow domestic workers are terrorized by the actions of ICE agents in our city and throughout the country. They see how Black and Brown people are targeted, and that we could get hurt or killed if we encounter ICE.”

“Philadelphians want our city to be free from fear and violence, especially those from federal overreach. This legislation package advances protections for our family, friends, and neighbors who are living under ICE’s reign of terror,” said Elena Emelchin Brunner of Asian Americans United (AAU). “This package ensures no local dollars or personnel are used to support the kidnapping of our people and federal violence against all people of Philadelphia. 

Many people in the city “are living in constant fear,” said Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (District 7) in a written statement. “Our community is demanding action and leadership. We are taking action to ensure that local resources are not used to support ICE activity. We are taking action to draw clear boundaries between local government and federal immigration enforcement.”

“We are seeing how, in other states, violence and fear have been unleashed, creating a climate of persecution that haunts our communities,” said María Serna of Make the Road Pennsylvania. “This ‘ICE Out’ bill package is our shield. It ensures that no one is discriminated against based on their status and that our personal data remain confidential.” 

Details of the ICE OUT Package include: 

• Prohibits ICE and other law enforcement agents from concealing their identities with face masks or unmarked vehicles and requires officers to display badges
• Codifies executive orders banning 287(g) agreements, which allow local police to act as ICE agents
• Prohibits city agencies from collaborating with ICE
• Prevents city agencies from collecting citizenship or immigration status information or sharing personal data with ICE
• Prohibits discrimination or denial of services based on citizenship or immigration status by the City, employers, housing providers, or private businesses.
• Prohibits ICE from using city-owned properties as staging locations for raids.
• Bars city employees from granting ICE access to city-owned spaces—such as libraries, shelters, health centers, and recreation centers—without a judicial warrant. 

Modeled on successful legislation from cities and states across the country, the ICE OUT package enshrines existing policies into law and establishes clear limits on how ICE can operate within Philadelphia. 

The legislation will be introduced to City Council on Thursday, January 29.

Tune in to phlcouncil.com/watch to watch live.  

This legislation has been endorsed by over forty local organizations, including: ACLU PA, Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, Make the Road Pennsylvania, Woori Center, Asian Americans United, CAIR-Philadelphia, Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia, National Domestic Workers Alliance, OnePA, Philly UNITE HERE, Pennsylvania Working Families Party, HIAS Pennsylvania, Philly Queer Fundy, VietLead, Philly DSA, Abolitionist Law Center, Alliance for a Just Philadelphia, 215 People’s Alliance, Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, El Comité de Trabajadorxs de Restaurantes, Free Migration Project, Sunrise Movement Philadelphia, People’s Tech Project, Puentes de Salud, Philadelphia Asian & Queer, Asian Food Collective, BDBC, Social Workers Ending Poverty Together (SWEPT), Crayons for Haiti, Inc., Asian Arts Initiative, Philly Muslim Freedom Fund, Kol Tzedek, Philly Childcare Collective,Sarin Gal, Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia, Gapura, Reclaim Philadelphia, Women of Color Global Women’s Strike/Philadelphia, Payday Men’s Network, Philly Thrive, ECAGP, Mennonite Action Philly, Caribbean Community in Philadelphia, Esperanza Immigration Legal Services, Black.Bird.Rising Healing Collective, Guinean Association of Delaware Valley, and more.