Philly city council passes ‘ICE Out' bills to limit agency's operations

Philadelphia City Council voted on Thursday to pass the “ICE Out” bill package, which includes seven laws designed to limit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s operations in the city.

The legislative package, which was formally introduced by Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau and originally drafted by Philadelphia-based immigrant rights organizations, passed on April 23, 2026.

“This win belongs to the community members who fought for it, and it shows once again what is possible when we lead with courage,” said Jasmine Rivera, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition. “Our work now moves from the halls of Council to every city office. With the 2026 World Cup approaching and an expected increase in federal agents coming to our city, it is more important than ever that our city employees are prepared.”

The legislative package has 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.

Members of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition emphasized the administration’s focus must now shift to implementing and enforcing the new laws, and urged the administration to prioritize clear protocols for frontline workers.