Philly Councilmembers Propose Limits on ICE Operations

Legislation would restrict ICE access, data sharing, and undercover tactics in the city

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:23am

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Councilmembers Rue Landau and Kendra Brooks are introducing legislation to limit the way Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can operate within Philadelphia. The bills would prohibit local police from participating in 287(g) programs, ban city workers from assisting ICE, and restrict ICE agents' ability to conduct raids and conceal their identities in the city.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation comes amid growing concerns over ICE’s aggressive tactics and the impact on immigrant communities in Philadelphia. The city has already seen a spike in ICE detentions and several high-profile incidents involving ICE agents, including the deaths of several individuals in custody. The new bills aim to make Philadelphia a stronger “sanctuary city” and limit the agency’s ability to operate within the city limits.

The details

The legislation would formally prohibit local police from participating in 287(g) programs that allow them to perform certain ICE functions. It would also bar city workers from assisting in ICE operations, collecting immigration status information, or sharing personal data with the agency. The bills would ban ICE agents and police from wearing masks, covering badges, or using unmarked vehicles to conceal their identities. They would also prohibit ICE raids on certain city-owned properties like schools, parks, and homeless shelters without a judicial warrant.

  • On January 27, 2026, Councilmembers Landau and Brooks spoke at a rally at City Hall to announce the proposed legislation.
  • The councilmembers will officially introduce the legislation at a city council meeting scheduled for January 29, 2026.

The players

Rue Landau

The city’s first openly LGBTQ+ member of city council, who is co-sponsoring the legislation to limit ICE operations in Philadelphia.

Kendra Brooks

A Philadelphia city councilmember who is co-sponsoring the legislation to limit ICE operations in the city.

Cherelle Parker

The mayor of Philadelphia, who has faced criticism for staying quiet on the issue of ICE activity in the city but has maintained an executive order signed by the previous mayor that allows Philadelphia to operate as a “sanctuary city.”

Jim Kenney

The former mayor of Philadelphia who signed an executive order allowing the city to operate as a “sanctuary city” by ending previous collaboration between ICE and city police.

Juntos

A local Latinx immigrant empowerment and advocacy group that has reported a spike in ICE detentions in Philadelphia since early 2025.

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What they’re saying

““ICE is already here in Philadelphia — tearing families apart and forcing people to live in fear. Every day we’re seeing new reports of ICE’s cruelty and violence. I refuse to wait for another person to be publicly murdered before we take action on this issue.””

— Kendra Brooks, Philadelphia City Councilmember (epgn.com)

““We are here because we have felt sorrow and pain watching the events of the last month and past year unfold. The lives that have been lost and families that have been torn apart. Today, we are here to say clearly and together, ‘ICE out of Philly!’””

— Rue Landau, Philadelphia City Councilmember (epgn.com)

What’s next

The legislation proposed by Councilmembers Landau and Brooks needs a simple majority of 9 votes to pass the city council and a supermajority of 12 votes to override a potential mayoral veto.

The takeaway

The proposed legislation in Philadelphia represents a growing movement among cities to limit the ability of ICE to operate within their jurisdictions and protect immigrant communities from the agency’s aggressive tactics. If passed, the bills would make Philadelphia a stronger “sanctuary city” and set an example for other municipalities looking to curb ICE’s reach.