With an overwhelming majority vote, the Philadelphia City Council, alongside the city’s immigrant community, achieved a historic victory on April 23 by approving a package of seven laws known as the “ICE Out” legislation. Together, these measures constitute some of the strongest protections in the nation against actions carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump Administration.
The measure passed by a 16–1 vote, with the only dissent coming from Republican Councilmember Brian O’Neill of the 10th District.
While the legislation does not fully prevent ICE agents from entering the city, it represents a powerful step toward protecting undocumented immigrants who have been living in fear due to federal enforcement actions.
Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau, who introduced the legislation, stated that its passage sends a clear message:
“We are sending a firm message to ICE and to the Trump Administration: Philadelphia stands with our immigrant communities. Philadelphia will stand up when masked agents are abducting our neighbors, and we will never capitulate to the Trump Administration’s terror tactics.”
Key Provisions of the “ICE Out” Law
The legislation significantly restricts ICE activity in Philadelphia by:
- Ending all city collaboration with ICE
- Safeguarding personal information and data privacy
- Protecting community spaces such as schools and health centers
- Prohibiting discrimination based on immigration status
- Banning deceptive enforcement tactics
The bill package now moves to the office of Mayor Cherelle Parker, backed by a veto‑proof majority of City Council.
Councilmembers Brooks and Landau expressed their gratitude to the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, immigrant‑rights organizations, and the hundreds of community members and volunteers who mobilized in support of the legislation.
Erika Guadalupe Núñez, Executive Director of Juntos and a member organization of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, emphasized that the next step—following the mayor’s approval—will be to document and report violations by ICE agents under these seven new laws.