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Philadelphia Council adopts 'ICE out' package restricting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
Summary
City Council approved a set of ordinances limiting certain information-sharing and procurement ties with immigration-enforcement entities, adding nondiscrimination protections for citizenship/immigration status and banning some contract relationships.
Philadelphia City Council on April 28 approved a multi-part immigration package (commonly referred to in testimony as the "ICE out" package) that places restrictions on how the city and its contractors may assist federal immigration enforcement.
Key ordinances enacted include a non-intervention chapter added to Title 21 that restricts the collection and use of citizenship and immigration-status information by city agencies, prohibitions on accepting bids or executing contracts with entities that do business with immigration enforcement (procurement restrictions), and protections against discrimination on the basis of citizenship or immigration status in city services. Council took recorded votes on several related bills (including bills numbered in the 26056–26062 range in the transcript) and the measures passed with recorded tallies showing majority support.
Supporters of the package included immigrant-rights groups and community organizations who said the measures will reduce fear, harassment, and what they described as terrorizing enforcement actions in neighborhoods. Council members repeatedly credited coalition organizing and community testimony with shaping the legislation.
Opponents and some commenters warned of legal limits on municipal authority over immigration and potential consequences for contracting and service delivery; at least one speaker urged caution about creating new protected categories without a factual record. Council members acknowledged those concerns but emphasized that the ordinances were crafted to limit the city’s cooperation in ways consistent with local authority. The transcript records that the measures passed by roll call votes.
What’s next: Departments and contracting units will need to operationalize procurement changes and reporting obligations; council members said compliance and legal review will be part of the post-passage process.
