Clergy members arrested during protest outside Philly ICE headquarters

10 clergy members and 1 community member were issued fines for blocking the garage entrance at the ICE facility.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:03pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of color representing a group of clergy members marching and chanting in front of a government building, conveying the energy and movement of the protest.A fractured, kinetic illustration captures the impassioned protest of clergy members outside an ICE facility, underscoring the moral urgency of their civil disobedience.Philadelphia Today

A group of clergy members, including Rev. Tim Emmett-Rardin, gathered outside the Philadelphia ICE headquarters on Monday morning to protest the agency's operations. The group first demonstrated on the sidewalk before moving to block the garage entrance, praying and singing loudly. Department of Homeland Security agents eventually detained the 11 protesters and issued them fines for impeding the entrance.

Why it matters

The protest was organized as part of a 'Week of Action Against ICE and ICE collaborators' by the group No ICE Philly. The clergy members see their actions as a moral disruption to ICE's operations and a way to support migrant communities in Philadelphia.

The details

The protest began around 8 a.m. on the sidewalk outside the ICE headquarters. About 30 minutes later, the group moved to block the garage entrance, praying and singing loudly. They remained in front of the doors until DHS agents physically pushed them toward the road and detained them. The 10 clergy members and 1 community member were all issued fines for impeding the entrance to the garage.

  • The protest began around 8 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026.
  • The group moved to block the garage entrance about 30 minutes after the protest started.

The players

Rev. Tim Emmett-Rardin

One of the clergy members who participated in the protest and was detained by authorities.

Pastor Jonny Rashid

A clergy member who said the protest not only disrupts ICE operations but also supports migrant communities and is an olive branch to ICE agents.

No ICE Philly

The group that organized the 'Week of Action Against ICE and ICE collaborators' protest.

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What they’re saying

“Every voice matters, right? I go back to the Arlo Guthrie song 'Alice's Restaurant'... So you want to end war and stuff, you want to end violence? You want to confront, end injustice, you have to sing loud.”

— Rev. Tim Emmett-Rardin, Clergy member

“Being out here is about standing up for love in the face of fear, in the face of death… crucifixion is ongoing. Literally feels like the least that I could do.”

— Rev. Tim Emmett-Rardin, Clergy member

“I believe they know what they're doing is wrong. So when clergy are showing up to do it, we amplify that moral disruption that they feel.”

— Pastor Jonny Rashid, Clergy member

What’s next

The 11 protesters who were detained and issued fines will likely face further legal proceedings related to the incident.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the ongoing tensions between immigrant advocates and ICE, with clergy members taking direct action to disrupt the agency's operations and voice moral opposition to its policies. The incident underscores the willingness of some religious leaders to risk arrest in order to support migrant communities and challenge what they see as unjust enforcement practices.