Fear is a powerful tool. People who are afraid are more compliant, less likely to speak up. Today’s ICE patrols are a real threat to immigrants’ safety and livelihoods. But across the country, people are fighting back against ICE’s campaign of fear. In the past few weeks, Philadelphia clergy members have used civil disobedience, physically blocking garage exits to prevent ICE from going out into the city.
This week, thanks to the hard work of a coalition of movement organizations, Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed an “ICE Out” package of seven bills on Monday. Next week, it will head to Mayor Parker.
The ICE Out bills limit ICE’s powers across several fronts, including:
- Prohibiting ICE agents from using unmarked vehicles or wearing face coverings and requiring them to show a badge.
- Preventing the City, including local police, from collaborating with ICE.
- Creating a new protected class for immigration and citizenship status in the City’s Fair Practices Ordinance.