Philly weighs new limits on working with immigration agents
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Philadelphia would ban federal immigration officials from wearing masks and using city property for operations under a legislative package lawmakers are taking up today.
The big picture: The push could force Mayor Cherelle Parker to weigh in on the Trump administration's approach, which she hasn't yet addressed — and create tension with City Council.
State of play: Philly joins a growing list of U.S. jurisdictions, like New Jersey, trying to limit cooperation with immigration agents.
- It comes after fallout from an aggressive crackdown in Minneapolis and reports of masked federal agents, often in unmarked vehicles, snatching people off the street.
Driving the news: A City Council committee will consider a series of seven bills today, and Parker administration officials are expected to testify.
What's inside: The proposed legislation would:
- Prohibit agents from wearing a mask or facial covering to obscure their identity
- Ban immigration agents from using city-owned property — think libraries and rec centers — as staging areas for enforcement activities without a warrant
- Lay out how and when city agencies and officials can coordinate with immigration enforcement, like giving access to city databases
- Prevent Philly police from partnering with federal officials on immigration enforcement
Worth noting: The city already limits its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents via an executive order that Parker has kept in place.
Reality check: Questions remain about whether federal agents are immune from these sorts of state and local laws.
Between the lines: While put forward by progressive lawmakers, the package has wide support on the council.
- If legislators pass some or all of the bills out of committee, the legislation could get a final vote in the coming weeks.
What we're watching: Whether Parker backs the bills.
- The administration declined Axios' request for comment.
Context: Parker has largely remained mum on the issue.
- That's despite immigration raids in Philly, fears that agents will target schools, and concerns that crackdowns will dampen enthusiasm for the World Cup this summer.
What they're saying: Even if passed, the legislation's future is murky due to likely court challenges, political analyst Jay McCalla tells Axios.
- Plus: It's TBD whether Parker would put pressure on Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel to enforce them, he says.