How Philadelphia Plans To Fight Back Against the New Administration’s Most Harmful Orders

Philadelphia City Council held its first hearing following the Trump administration’s inundation of executive orders. Led by Rue Landau, City Council’s first openly LGBTQ+ member, the hearing was, as Landau said, to “get ready for what we need to do to fight back as well.”

Local leaders and community members testified before the Council, urging Philly to fight back against decisions made in Washington by the new administration. Issues like protections for queer and trans people, inclusive work, and what to do about ICE raids were chief among the discussions. All of those concerns are valid. Within the hundreds of orders is an order ending federal funding for sanctuary cities, an ending birthright citizenship, and a mass deportation order.

As far as the latter, Bob Listenbee, First Assistant District Attorney, warned“These policies regarding mass deportation are anti-public safety and also anti-family,” Listenbee also added that District Attorney Larry Krasner will be working directly with colleagues in other municipalities to directly combat some of the new administration’s most harmful orders.

Here is how Philadelphia plans to combat a few of the more harmful orders:

Trump’s Policy: Attempts to limit protections for trans students.

As the new administration targets trans people, Philly is planning:

Gender-affirming policy that ensures students can use their chosen names and pronouns.

New LGBTQ+ Coordinator to expand safe spaces.

Trump’s Policy: Mass deportation orders and ICE cooperation.

The new administration empowered ICE to proceed with mass deportations. Philly’s Response is:

Expanding Immigration Defense Unit to help 50,000 residents at risk of deportation.

Legal aid and resources for ICE-detained families.

Trump’s Policy: Mass deportations and expansion of ICE operations

As the new administration expands the operations of ICE, back at home:

DA’s Office will NOT cooperate with ICE in ways that support mass deportations.

Plans to expand Victim/Witness Unit support.

Trump’s Policy: Detaining individuals based on ICE hold requests.

With the new administration instilling fear in the immigrant community due to the many orders directly targeting them,:

Philly will NOT detain people based on ICE requests without a valid judicial warrant.

No Immigration Status Inquiries in schools unless required by law.

City services remain available regardless of immigration status.

As the new administration continues to flood the zone with executive orders and actions, more hearings will be needed. This initial step led by Landau sets the precedent for what may be needed following future order floods from Washington. For now, we wait to see how the City will enact these policies for the betterment of Philadelphia.