Philadelphia promoting hotline amid ICE raids

The city of Philadelphia is promoting a hotline for those who have been affected by recent enforcement actions by federal immigration officials.  

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers is cracking down across the nation, Mayor Jim Kenney says he’s concerned.

 “If you are looking for a way to thwart progress in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in medical research, education, trade, reputation — you name it — business creation, then scare the bejesus out of people. The only beneficiary of any of this stuff on the national and state level is Canada,” he said.

Kenney says he’s having a case of déjà vu.

“The last time I felt like this was 1968 when I was 10 years old and the world scene was coming apart. And the world seems like it’s coming apart again,” he said.

ICE says the current enforcement actions are part of their regular, targeted efforts to apprehend people slated for deportation.  It has not confirmed an uptick in enforcement, though it’s been reported across the country.

The mayor has vowed not to change Philadelphia’s sanctuary city status even with the threat of losing federal funding.

 

City is working to gather info on how many people have been impacted by increased ICE enforcements. Hotline for those impacted: 267-333-9530

— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) February 15, 2017