‘Protect us': Activists demand end to ICE arrests outside Philly courts

Attorneys, volunteers and community advocates gathered outside the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center on Tuesday to call for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions near city courts.

The demonstration came a day after another reported ICE detention — something activists say is a growing concern in the area.

With signs and chants, protesters directed their message to judges and the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, urging local officials to take action.

“We demand that our local government stand up and protect us,” Cathryn Miller-Wilson of HIAS PA said.

Advocates said arrests outside courthouses are not new, but argued they are happening more frequently. They warned the practice is having a direct impact on the justice system, discouraging people from showing up to court.

“It could potentially mean the system collapses if we don’t have people able to show up safely. We don’t have victims, or witnesses or defendants that want to show up for the cases,” Lilah Thompson of the Defender Association of Philadelphia said.

Activists argued that both the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office have the authority to establish and enforce policies that would limit ICE activity around courthouses.

“We’re sick of this finger pointing and everyone trying to blame each other while community members are getting kidnapped,” Aniqa Raihan of No ICE Philly said.

However, both agencies have said it is not their responsibility.

NBC10 reached out to court officials, but has not heard back.

In a January statement, court officials said:

“The First Judicial District is always willing to discuss matters of mutual concern with our justice partners, but managing security in court buildings – which includes managing ICE’s presence – is the sole responsibility of the Sheriff. These decisions are the Sheriff’s to make.”

The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office has also not responded to a request for comment. On its website, the office states that ICE is not allowed to detain anyone inside the courthouse.

Activists said that policy should be expanded to include areas surrounding court buildings, pointing to cities like Chicago and Albuquerque as examples.

“Is this that they can’t do anything, but they can. We’ve seen model policies in other cities,” Erika Guadalupe Nunez of Juntos said.

NBC10 also reached out to ICE for comment and is still waiting to hear back.

Organizers said they plan to continue protesting until changes are made.

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