[VT Philadelphia PA January 23, 2026] Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large) and Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large) have announced the introduction of a legislative package titled “ICE OUT,” a set of proposed measures described as strengthening Philadelphia’s existing Welcoming City framework. The legislation is scheduled to be introduced in City Council on January 29.
According to the sponsors and participating advocacy groups, the package focuses on clarifying how city resources and facilities interact with federal immigration enforcement, reinforcing data privacy standards, and expanding local non-discrimination protections.
At a public gathering outside City Hall, supporters said the legislation is intended to formalize existing policies, provide clearer guidance for city agencies and employees, and address community concerns related to civil rights, access to services, and public trust.
Overview of Proposed Measures
Based on publicly released descriptions, the ICE OUT package includes provisions addressing:
- Identification and transparency standards during law enforcement activity
- Codification of policies limiting the use of 287(g)-type cooperation agreements between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities
- Restrictions on city agencies collecting or sharing information about residents’ citizenship or immigration status
- Guidelines governing federal enforcement access to city-owned facilities
- Prohibitions on discrimination in city services, housing, and employment contexts based on citizenship or immigration status
Supporters describe the package as a local policy effort aimed at defining the role of municipal government within existing legal boundaries while maintaining service access for residents.
Community and Organizational Support
The proposal has received endorsements from more than forty local organizations representing civil liberties groups, immigrant-serving organizations, labor groups, faith communities, cultural institutions, and neighborhood-based advocacy networks.
Endorsing organizations include:
Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition;
New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia;
Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia;
National Domestic Workers Alliance;
Pennsylvania Working Families Party;
VietLead;
Philly DSA;
Abolitionist Law Center;
Alliance for a Just Philadelphia;
215 People’s Alliance;
Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance;
El Comité de Trabajadorxs de Restaurantes;
Free Migration Project;
Sunrise Movement Philadelphia;
People’s Tech Project;
Puentes de Salud;
Philadelphia Asian & Queer;
Asian Food Collective;
BDBC;
Social Workers Ending Poverty Together (SWEPT);
Crayons for Haiti, Inc.;
Asian Arts Initiative;
Philly Muslim Freedom Fund;
Kol Tzedek; Philly Childcare Collective;
Sarin Gal;
Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia;
Gapura; Reclaim Philadelphia;
Women of Color Global Women’s Strike/Philadelphia;
Payday Men’s Network;
Philly Thrive; ECAGP;
Mennonite Action Philly;
Caribbean Community in Philadelphia;
Esperanza Immigration Legal Services;
Black.Bird.Rising Healing Collective;
Guinean Association of Delaware Valley.
The legislation will be formally introduced to City Council, where it will proceed through the committee and public hearing process. Councilmembers have indicated the intent to continue working with community stakeholders as the proposal moves forward.
City Council sessions are publicly accessible through the Council’s official broadcast channels.
