Mayor Parker signs all ‘ICE Out' bills in Philly except for mask ban

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker signed six bills that aim to limit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s operations in the city but decided not to sign one bill that would prohibit law enforcement from wearing masks.

On April 23, 2026, Philadelphia city council approved the “ICE Out” bill package. The legislative package – which was formally introduced by Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau and originally drafted by Philadelphia-based immigrant rights organizations – includes seven bills with five key provisions:

• Ending All ICE Collaboration: Prohibits the city from entering 287(g) contracts, honoring ICE detainers, or providing local assistance for federal immigration interrogations and raids.
• Securing Data Privacy: Prevents the city from sharing sensitive databases, datasets, or personal information with federal agencies for immigration enforcement purposes.
• Protecting Community Spaces: Requires judicial warrants for ICE to access non-public city facilities—including hospitals, libraries, and recreation centers—and bans the use of city property for ICE staging or arrests.
• Stopping Discrimination: Establishes immigration and citizenship status as protected classes under the Fair Practices Ordinance to prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
• Banning Deceptive Tactics: Ensures transparency by prohibiting law enforcement from wearing masks or using unmarked vehicles to obscure their identities during public interactions.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Mayor Parker signed six of the seven bills that make up the package but decided not to sign Bill 260060, which would ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks or using unmarked vehicles during public interactions.

Parker cited a letter from City Solicitor Renee Garcia in which she advised against signing the bill.

“As I have previously advised, the Bill presents significant legal problems, primarily concerning the authority of the City to regulate the conduct of federal officers when carrying out their duties under federal law,” Garcia wrote.

Garcia also referenced a recent decision in California in which an appeals court blocked a law that would ban masks and require federal immigration agents to wear badges.

“I am aware that the Administration supports the Bill sponsor’s intent to require that immigration and other law enforcement operations are conducted in Philadelphia in a safe, transparent and accountable manner,” Garcia wrote. “However, given the current state of the law, implementing the Bill at this time would present significant legal and operational challenges. Specifically, our offices would be asked to engage in activity that could be construed as interfering with federal immigration enforcement, which carries potential criminal penalties.”

While Mayor Parker did not sign the bill, she also did not veto it meaning it will still become law.

A day after Philadelphia city council passed the legislation, constitutional law attorney Joseph Malouf spoke with NBC10 about the potential legal challenges the “ICE Out” bills could face.

“It’s really hard to justify ordering the federal government to expose their officers just because they are in the state. That is extremely challenging,” Malouf said.

Malouf said he expects the federal government to challenge much of the package, particularly if it interferes with agents’ ability to carry out their duties.

“This whole package is gonna be challenged. There’s no doubt in my mind,” he said. “The types of detentions without warrants… the federal government can fight those.”

Councilmember Landau said city leaders anticipated potential legal pushback while drafting the bills.

“We made it universal in Philadelphia, so there’s an anti-mask requirement for all law enforcement, so it seems it would uphold scrutiny,” Landau said.

Landau said other parts of the legislation are grounded in constitutional protections, including Fourth Amendment safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as the city’s interpretation of its rights under the 10th Amendment.

“We in Philadelphia [are] gonna do everything we can to protect our neighbors in our neighborhood,” she said. “If for any reason we are faced with the lawsuit, we will do everything we can to fight back in the court as well.”

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