PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s district attorney, public defender and sheriff's offices joined advocates and faith leaders calling for the court to take steps to address ICE activity at the Criminal Justice Center.
Immigration advocates from Juntos and No ICE Philly said upwards of 100 immigrants have been arrested in and around the CJC this year by ICE agents. KYW Newsradio has been unable to independently verify that number.
However, city officials are now calling for the courthouse to take action. District Attorney Larry Krasner and others have asked for a meeting with the judges from the CJC to come up with methods to protect immigrants who are going to court as defendants and witnesses, and for civil cases.
He joined faith leaders, the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s office and several City Council members on Wednesday at the Salt and Light Church in Southwest Philadelphia.
Krasner pointed to cases not going to trial, sharing his fear that victims — including in domestic violence cases — and witnesses would be detained and deported.
“More and more victims are not showing up for court,” he said. “We are seeing the same with witnesses. Witnesses may be undocumented but they may be there for the benefit of a U.S. citizen.”
Defender Association chief Keisha Hudson said defendants are being deported without due process.
“There have been 130 known ICE arrests of people who are in the system since January of 2025. Since November, almost all of these arrests have happened at the CJC,” said Hudson.
“We have observers on video being tackled by ICE agents in and around our courthouses.”
Advocates didn’t get into many specifics, but suggestions included posted notices of immigrant rights throughout the CJC and education for courthouse staff on what ICE is legally allowed to do.
In response to events in Minnesota — including federal threats to prosecute the widow of Renee Good, a woman killed last week by ICE agents — Krasner said he would prosecute ICE agents who break the law …
“This is ultimately about good versus evil,” he said. “Renee Nicole Good… is up against evil and so is her wife.”