Philadelphia, January 28, 2026
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has made headlines by labeling ICE agents as ‘wannabe Nazis’ and expressing his commitment to prosecuting any agents who violate the law. This firm stance coincides with the introduction of the ‘ICE Out’ legislation, which aims to severely limit ICE’s operational capabilities in the city. The proposed laws would restrict ICE’s identity concealment, access to city property, and collaboration with local law enforcement. Krasner’s remarks and the urgency of the legislation have gained attention following recent federal agent actions in Minneapolis that sparked national outrage.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner recently made strong statements concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, referring to them as “wannabe Nazis” and stating his intent to pursue their removal. These remarks were made as new legislation is planned to significantly limit ICE operations within Philadelphia.
During a speech, District Attorney Krasner pledged to “hunt down” and prosecute any ICE agents found to be violating the law, vowing to ensure they serve their full sentences if convicted. This comes amid the introduction of a package of seven bills, known as the “ICE Out” legislation, by Philadelphia City Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau.
The proposed “ICE Out” legislation includes several key provisions designed to restrict federal immigration enforcement. These measures would prohibit ICE agents from concealing their identities with masks or unmarked vehicles, except for legitimate undercover operations, SWAT teams, or medical needs. The bills also seek to prevent ICE from using city-owned properties as staging areas for raids and to limit the agency’s access to Philadelphians’ personal data. Additionally, the legislation aims to formalize the city’s “welcoming city” status by codifying existing practices that restrict collaboration between city employees, including local law enforcement, and ICE. This includes banning 287(g) agreements and prohibiting ICE agents from entering city buildings such as libraries, health centers, homeless shelters, and recreation centers without a judicial warrant. The proposed laws would also prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s citizenship or immigration status.
The announcement of this legislative package and the District Attorney’s comments follow recent incidents, including the fatal shooting deaths of two civilians by federal agents in Minneapolis, which have prompted national outrage. While the legislation has been under development for several months, the events in Minneapolis reportedly made its introduction more timely. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that such policies would make Philadelphia “less safe,” emphasizing that partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement are vital for removing individuals who have committed serious crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What did Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner say about ICE agents?
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner referred to ICE agents as “wannabe Nazis” and stated his intent to pursue their removal. He also pledged to “hunt down” and prosecute any ICE agents who violate the law, vowing to ensure they serve their full sentences if convicted. - What is the “ICE Out” legislation?
The “ICE Out” legislation is a package of seven bills introduced by Philadelphia City Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau, designed to significantly limit ICE operations within Philadelphia. - What are the key provisions of the “ICE Out” legislation?
The key provisions include prohibiting ICE agents from hiding their identities with masks or unmarked vehicles (with exceptions), barring ICE from using city-owned property for raids, restricting ICE’s access to Philadelphians’ personal data, codifying existing practices limiting collaboration between city employees and ICE (including banning 287(g) agreements), prohibiting ICE agents from entering city buildings without a judicial warrant, codifying the city’s “welcoming city” status, and prohibiting discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status. - Why is this legislation being introduced now?
While the legislation has been under development for several months, its introduction now follows recent incidents, including the fatal shooting deaths of two civilians by federal agents in Minneapolis, which have prompted national outrage. - What has been the reaction to the proposed legislation?
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that such policies would make Philadelphia “less safe,” highlighting the importance of federal-local law enforcement partnerships for removing criminal individuals.
Key Features of the “ICE Out” Legislation (Philadelphia-specific)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Identity Concealment | Prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks or using unmarked vehicles, with exceptions for legitimate undercover work, SWAT teams, and medical needs. |
| Use of City Property | Bars ICE from using city-owned properties as staging grounds for immigration raids or entering city buildings (e.g., libraries, shelters, health centers, recreation centers) without a judicial warrant. |
| Data Sharing | Restricts ICE’s access to Philadelphians’ personal data and prohibits city agencies from collaborating or sharing data with ICE. |
| Inter-agency Collaboration | Codifies existing practices that limit cooperation between City of Philadelphia employees, including local law enforcement, and ICE. This specifically includes banning 287(g) agreements. |
| “Welcoming City” Status | Enshrines Philadelphia’s “welcoming city” or “sanctuary city” status into law, making permanent policies that limit the city’s participation in federal immigration enforcement. |
| Non-Discrimination | Prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s citizenship or immigration status. |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
