On April 23, 2026, Philadelphia City Council voted YES on the ICE Out legislative package, which is among the strongest in the whole country to protect immigrants. The ICE Out laws are designed to ensure that city data, dollars, personnel, and public spaces won’t be used to participate in federal immigration enforcement.
What do the “ICE Out” laws do?
- ICE Out of the shadow: Generally prohibits ICE and other law enforcement agents from hiding their identity with face coverings and unmarked vehicles. Also requires them to display a badge
- ICE Out of city functions: Prevents the city from collaborating with federal immigration enforcement — banning agreements which allow local police to act as ICE agents and prohibiting city agencies from collaborating with ICE without a judicial warrant
- ICE Out of city data: Prevents city agencies from collecting citizenship and immigration status data, and prohibits sharing any personal data with ICE
- ICE Out of city spaces: Prohibits ICE from using city-owned properties as staging locations for raids and bars employees from granting ICE access to city-owned spaces (libraries, shelters, health centers or rec centers) without a judicial warrant
- Expands protections against discrimination based on immigration status and citizenship status
