Philadelphia City Council passes landmark ‘ICE Out’ legislation
WHYY • • nation
Key Points:
- Philadelphia City Council passed seven bills with a veto-proof majority restricting immigration enforcement activities, known as the “ICE Out” legislation, aiming to limit ICE operations and protect immigrant rights in the city.
- Key provisions include banning ICE agents from wearing masks or using unmarked vehicles (with some exceptions), prohibiting collaboration with ICE without judicial warrants, and barring ICE from city-owned properties and collecting immigration status information.
- The legislation was introduced by Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau and received strong community support, especially from immigrant advocacy groups, though some legal concerns have been raised by city officials.
- The bills do not require the mayor’s signature to become law and will take effect 60 days after passage; Philadelphia joins other Pennsylvania municipalities in enacting similar restrictions on cooperation with ICE.
- Despite enthusiasm from supporters, similar laws in other states have faced legal challenges, such as a recent federal court blocking a California law banning ICE agents from wearing masks.
