By Jack Tomczuk
The relationship between Sheriff Rochelle Bilal and a group called No ICE Philly appeared to be thawing – at least a little bit – as immigrant advocates rallied outside her office Tuesday.
Organizers were there to deliver a virtual petition to Bilal, signed by more than 5,300 people, and one of the demands for a meeting between No ICE Philly and the Sheriff’s Office, had already been met.
Then, Bilal, who spoke to reporters inside moments after the demonstration wrapped up, accused one of the group’s leaders, Aniqa Raihan, of spreading lies in an attempt to grab headlines.
“For No ICE Philly to come to this, in reference to the stands that I make, I don’t know what their problem is,” she said. “I don’t do this for any publicity. But I think they do.”
Bilal said she has requested evidence from the organization to support their allegations that her deputies are cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. So far, such proof has not materialized, she added.
Raihan, during the rally, characterized the meeting between the sides, which occurred Monday, as a positive first step. Bilal, she went on, agreed to examine some of No ICE Philly’s recommendations and respond by the end of the month.
The advocates asked the Sheriff’s Office to close a “loophole” that allows ICE officers to gain access to court buildings by claiming to be from the Drug Enforcement Agency, ATF or other federal law enforcement agency.
In addition, they want Bilal to prohibit immigration agents from showing up in masks and plainclothes; ban apprehensions on courthouse sidewalks and entryways; have deputies protect legal observers and civilians filming arrests; and produce monthly reports about ICE activity in the courts.
“Most of their demands, they were asking us to do something illegal, which we are not going to break the law,” Bilal said.
Among the petition’s demands is that the Sheriff’s Office ban ICE from entering courthouses, which are open to the public. Bilal said her deputies do not have that authority.
Deputies also have no power to police public areas, privately-owned parking garages or other areas outside court buildings, the sheriff added.
The Sheriff’s Office, under a policy issued in January 2025, prohibits immigration arrests inside or on the grounds of the courthouse, and deputies are prohibited from sharing information with ICE. Bilal said she has no reason to believe any of her officers are collaborating with the agency.
No ICE Philly claims federal law enforcement has handcuffed 114 individuals in the vicinity of the Justice Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice (CJC) since President Donald Trump’s second term began. The Sheriff’s Office provides security at CJC and other First Judicial District court buildings.
“Over the last year, I have watched as ICE stalks and kidnaps our community members outside the courthouse, depriving them of their constitutional right to due process,” remarked Lenore Ramos, community defense organizer for Juntos, a South Philadelphia-based immigrant advocacy organization.
Immigrants have consequently grown fearful of participating in the criminal justice system, including as victims and witnesses, leaders of the District Attorney’s Office and Defender Association have said.
The all-volunteer No ICE Philly formed in September, and soon after, it focused on ICE’s operations surrounding the CJC and the sheriff’s role. It held protests targeting Bilal in November and December.
Earlier this month, Bilal referred to ICE as “made-up, fake, wannabe law enforcement” and warned that the agency didn’t “want this smoke.” The remarks drew scorn in conservative circles, including a response from ICE’s account on X, and Bilal said she has received death threats.
“While she went viral and the news played her clips over and over again, her deputies continued to stand by and allow ICE to stake out the courthouse and kidnap our neighbors there,” Raihan said.
On Tuesday, members of No ICE Philly lined up with banners and signs outside the Center City headquarters of the Sheriff’s Office, near Broad and Sansom streets, chanting “Sheriff Bilal, do your job.”
“We need to see meaningful action, serious change that protects our neighbors and everyone who goes to the courthouse,” Raihan added. “We will not stop.”