First Look: Philly lawmakers move to sharply curb ICE operations
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Philly lawmakers will consider a sweeping legislative package aimed at restricting how federal immigration officials can operate in the city.
Why it matters: The proposal underscores growing urgency among cities to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement — and sets up a potential clash between Council and Mayor Cherelle Parker, who could try to use her influence to kill the legislation before a vote.
The big picture: Philadelphia has seen immigration raids that resulted in dozens of arrests — but nothing on the scale of Minnesota, which has become a flashpoint following fatal shootings by federal immigration agents.
- While some Philly officials have forcefully pushed back on the enforcement actions, Parker has largely avoided publicly clashing with President Trump — and the city has rebranded itself from a "sanctuary city" to a "welcoming city."
Driving the news: Flanked by supporters holding up signs and chanting "ICE out," councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau announced the legislation during a news conference Tuesday outside City Hall, alongside District Attorney Larry Krasner and immigration advocates who urged city officials to act on the bills.
- The "ICE Out" proposal seeks to enshrine into city law several existing policies on cooperating with ICE, impose broader restrictions on federal immigration officials and enhance penalties for impersonating officers, per a memo provided to Axios by Brooks' office.
What they're saying: "We are going to fight against federal overreach," Krasner said during the news conference.
- "A welcoming city cannot exist in name only," Erika Guadalupe Núñez, executive director of the local human rights advocacy group Juntos, told the crowd, adding the group's rapid-response hotline has been flooded with calls from people who fear leaving their homes.
The other side: The mayor's office didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on whether Parker will support the bills, if they're advanced by council.
Inside the bills: Modeled after actions taken in other states, the bills would formally bar federal immigration officials from wearing masks in public and using city property as staging grounds for operations.
- They'd prohibit Philly police from partnering with federal officials on immigration enforcement. (The police department already limits its cooperation with ICE.)
- Plus: City employees would be prevented from collecting people's immigration statuses or sharing their personal information, and from allowing ICE to access city libraries, shelters or health and community centers without a warrant.
Friction point: Some Trump administration officials have said federal agents are immune from state and local laws.
- Legal experts say that's not the case, while noting any attempt to charge federal agents would likely face significant hurdles.
What we're watching: Council President Kenyatta Johnson has broad control over the governing body's legislative agenda.
- But he hasn't taken a position on the bills, telling Axios in a statement he's concerned about ICE's actions and law enforcement practices "should be lawful, humane and not undermine trust in public safety."
Reality check: If council passes the bills, it sets up a dilemma for Parker: Does she sign them, veto them, or allow them to become law without her signature, political analyst Jay McCalla tells Axios.
- "She's skating on thin ice. It's going to be a question of who she's more afraid of — the ugly hand of Donald Trump" or city lawmakers and residents.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.