Councilmember Rue Landau, who cosponsored the legislation alongside Councilmember Kendra Brooks, said in a statement to WHYY News that City Council collaborated with advocates “but these next steps fall to the Administration.”
“We need to have a clear process of next steps for implementation,” she said. “That means staff trainings, clear signage on city property, ways to report violations, and someone empowered to address concerns and make improvements. Every day that we wait for answers, is another day that puts our immigrant communities at risk.”
Brooks said in a statement to WHYY News that the organizations “are right to demand updates and meetings from the Parker Administration and Solicitor’s Office on the ICE Out package.”
“I share their concerns and have also not received updates on this. On July 7th, the package became Philadelphia law. Philadelphians deserve to know the law is being upheld,” she said. “Organizations that protect immigrants deserve to be part of the implementation process and for the City to take into account their lived experiences. The meetings being demanded should happen.”
A federal judge in July ruled that a bill restricting ICE and other law enforcement agents from wearing masks can’t go into effect, pending the outcome of a lawsuit by the Trump administration.
Chang said that Philadelphia is already “under attack” by immigration enforcement officials.
“Even though Mayor Parker has said her strategy is to keep undercover so that Philly’s not a target, we are still a target,” Chang said. “We still see dozens of people impacted every week. … If that is the strategy, it’s not working.”
Immigrant rights advocates gathered outside of 1515 Arch Street in Center City, Philadelphia, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The group presented city officials with a letter requesting action regarding implementing “ICE Out” legislation that went into effect July 7. (Emily Neil/WHYY)
Many people are being detained by ICE when they go for routine check-ins at the ICE office, Chang said.
“They are following what they’re required to do, they know if they don’t show up, ICE will come find them at their house,” she said.
In June, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit alleging that ICE is “unlawfully” re-detaining people at routine check-ins in a reversal of longstanding policy.