PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A group of immigrant community leaders says the city is not properly implementing ICE Out laws approved by City Council. They hand-delivered a letter to city officials on Tuesday demanding transparency and compliance.
About a dozen immigration advocates tried to go to Managing Director Adam Thiel’s office at 16th and Arch streets, but they were denied entry beyond the security desk.
A member of the Philadelphia Law Department accepted their letter, which calls on the Parker administration to meet with members of the immigrant community and discuss several bills restricting immigration enforcement, which took effect earlier this summer.
“We have been asking for an appointment and I’ve not heard back,” said Tammy Murphy with Make the Road PA.
The letter demands transparency from the city about training workers on the legal changes. The coalition is also asking for signage in city facilities, a clear and multilingual process for reporting violations, identification of the department in charge, and regular compliance reports.
“We want to make sure that all of the Philadelphia employees understand the protocol so that the people can be kept safe,” said Murphy, “but also there should be some public information about where people can go that is safe and what the protocols are for them and how the ICE Out legislation is going to be enforced.”
More than 60 organizations signed the letter.
Mayor Cherelle Parker signed six of the seven ICE Out bills after they passed City Council in April. The seventh — which would ban law enforcement from concealing their identities through masks, covered badges or unmarked cars — is on hold while a lawsuit on the matter plays out.
KYW Newsradio asked the Managing Director’s Office for comment but has not heard back.
Leaders hand-delivered a letter demanding a meeting with Parker administration officials
Leaders hand-delivered a letter demanding a meeting with Parker administration officials
