PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Dozens of immigrant advocates gathered in front of City Hall on Tuesday afternoon before marching to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Philadelphia field office to call on Mayor Cherelle Parker to reaffirm the city’s sanctuary status before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
“Parker, escucha, estamos en la lucha,” immigrant advocates chanted as they rallied outside City Hall — or “Parker, listen, we are in the fight.”
Mayor Jim Kenney first declared Philly a sanctuary city back in 2016 during Trump’s first term. Kenney successfully fought off legal challenges from the Trump administration, and Philly kicked ICE out of its police database, alleging the agency used it to track undocumented residents for deportation.
“Sanctuary is our city boldly declaring that ICE enforcement actions — from raids to detentions, to deportations — violate our values,” said Erika Guadalupe Núñez, who leads Juntos, an immigrant rights organization based in South Philly.
“Today, we come together not just to protect a policy, but to defend a principle — the principle that our city will not be a place of fear.”
Going into his second term now, Trump has promised repercussions for cities that push back on his immigration plans. And as Parker has so far declined to reaffirm sanctuary status, leaving many immigrant advocates fearful for their communities.
“As we look ahead to the challenges on the horizon, particularly Trump’s unprecedented demands for mass deportations and detentions, we need our city’s leadership to defend sanctuary with even greater urgency,” said Núñez.
She says it’s important for city leaders like Parker to take a clear stand.
“Legal protections can change overnight. Our commitment must be unwavering. So mayor, if you support immigrants, please stand up,” said Julio Rodriguez, with the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition.
Councilmember Rue Landau has proposed a series of hearings to prepare for a second Trump term on a range of issues, including protections for reproductive rights and LGBTQ people as well as for immigrants.
“This is not the time for ambiguity,” Núñez said. “This is not the time for soft, political maneuvering. This is the time for intentional action, for solidarity.”