About a hundred immigration activists and supporters met in the shadow of the Liberty Bell on Wednesday to demand that President Joe Biden use his remaining time in office to take apart the nation’s deportation mechanisms.
Amid a loud, sign-waving rally that temporarily blocked traffic at the foot of Ben Franklin Bridge, everyday citizens and elected leaders spoke out for immigrant rights in Philadelphia. District Attorney Larry Krasner told the crowd he would not hesitate to charge ICE officers with crimes if they violated the law while taking official action.
“The fact that immigration may permit actions by agents doesn’tmean they can go beyond what’s legal and permitted,” he said. “We are simply not going to allow the abuse of authority, hate crimes, activity that endangers children in violation of laws in Pennsylvania.”
Krasner’s comments referenced one of the biggest challenges immigration advocates have in bracing for a second Trump term: It’s unclear just how aggressive enforcement will be. ICE declined to comment for this article.
“I want to see Biden shut down these centers and do more to protect the dreamers,” Roman said, adding she wants Mayor Cherelle L. Parker to speak up in affirming Philadelphia as a sanctuary city.
Sanctuary cities generally refuse to deputize their local police officers as acting ICE agents, and some places, including the state of New Jersey, have sought to ban the creation of immigrant-detention centers. The message from Mayor Parker has been more muted, contrasting not only with some Democratic leaders in other cities but also with her predecessor as mayor, Jim Kenney.
