PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A West Philadelphia business group has begun to prepare its members for ICE raids and National Guard deployments, even though Philadelphia does not seem to be a target for them.
In a Tuesday virtual briefing, members of the West Philadelphia Corridor Collective heard from several speakers, including former Army Undersecretary Patrick Murphy, who explained the National Guard should only be deployed to assist local law enforcement in emergencies. However, he couldn’t dismiss their fears that troops might show up here.
“A lot of folks are really concerned about what’s going on and how it’s going to affect the traditional use of force in America,” said Murphy.
He recommended they speak up since, he said, small businesses are disproportionately impacted by National Guard deployment, not to mention large-scale ICE raids that chase away workers and customers.
“We really have to get after it and let our voices be heard and that’s why I really appreciate the advocacy on this defining moment.”
Dora Herrera owns Yuca’s, a popular Los Angeles restaurant that’s been shaken by troop-aided ICE raids scaring away workers and customers, and challenging her core beliefs.
“Almost 50 years in the business and we have never seen anything like this and I hope we never do again,” she said to the collective.
“This can’t be happening here in America. In America, we have laws. We have democracy. We have the support of our government.”
Attorney Jonathan Grode recommended businesses learn the limits of non-judicial warrants and designate space as private.
“The back of house is private. There’s a sign that says ‘employees only.’ An ICE officer can enter the front of house but he can’t enter the private space without a warrant to do so,” he explained.
“A lot of times when ICE will come to a place, people will panic and they’ll run out the back door. As soon as that activity occurs, that gives them probable cause to enter the private space.”
Grode said Philadelphia has a rapid response network that can help small businesses.