PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Immigration advocates in Philadelphia are urging city leaders to take stronger action following a series of violent encounters involving federal immigration authorities in other parts of the country.
At a Thursday press conference where the city’s sheriff and district attorney had some tough words for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, District Attorney Larry Krasner said, “Don’t even try that in Philly.”
Standing in the crowd, Aniqa Raihan of the group No ICE Philly said she had one reaction.
“Honestly, I think my main thought during that press conference was, ‘OK, let’s see it.'”
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Raihan’s organization helped organize a prayer vigil outside City Hall later that evening.
“I definitely felt the collective grief and fear of the crowd,” she said.
The vigil was held in response to ICE officers shooting and killing a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
A day later, federal border agents were involved in another shooting in Portland. According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents there were conducting a “targeted” stop on two people in a car allegedly affiliated with a Venezuelan gang.
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The recent incidents, combined with increased ICE enforcement, have heightened concerns in Philadelphia.
“When I heard District Attorney Krasner and Sheriff Bilal making those very strong statements about if that happens here, we’ll do x, y and z, it will happen here, if you don’t do something now,” Raihan said.
She added that despite officials’ public statements, immigrant rights groups have struggled to secure meetings with city leaders.
Advocates also want the city to address reports of ICE arrests at local courthouses.
“The number of people who have been picked up in the courthouse, it’s over 100 in 2025,” Raihan said.
The Trump administration has defended ICE agents, including the officer involved in the Minneapolis shooting.
“You have agitators, and we will go and protect ICE, and we will always be protective of our border patrol and law enforcement,” President Trump said.
As protests continue, the debate over ICE and immigration enforcement remains active in Philadelphia.
Local advocacy groups are pushing the city to reaffirm its sanctuary city status and plan to hold another demonstration at City Hall this weekend.
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