Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner joined a number of elected officials and community leaders on Wednesday to discuss public safety strategies regarding ICE activity in the city and in its court system. During the day, officials gathered at Salt and Light Church in the city’s Kingses sing community to discuss the issue. And, on Wednesday, Philly legislators weren’t the only elected officials to express concern for residents safety regarding ICE activities, as Bucks County ended a partnership with the government entity citing similar issues. The first official to step to the podium was Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who opened by discussing the importance of the immigrant community to the fabric of life in the City of Brotherly Love. “We should be honored that immigrants think that our city is worth so much,” she said. “So, while the Trump administration and their MAGA cronies try to district us with fake outrage, lame jokes and dangerous threats against our district attorney and sheriff, here in Philadelphia your leaders are laser-focused on governing and protecting our communities.” She argued that ICE’s agenda “isn’t just about immigrants anymore,” pointing out that agents from the Department of Homeland Security killed 37-year-old American citizen and mother, Renee Nicole Good, in a confrontation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan 7. 2026. She also said that Philadelphia officials would continue to do all they could to protect residents from President Trump’s “secret police.” “This coalition will keep doing everything we can to keep Philadelphians safe from a rogue president and his masked secret police with bloodlust,” she said. Philadelphia Jan 8 Philadelphia region joins protests after Minneapolis woman killed by ICE agent Immigration Aug 15, 2025 Lawmakers, activist highlight the urgent need to ban masks on ICE officers in Pa. Philadelphia Mar 6, 2025 Fear grips communities ahead of new round of ICE raids Following Gauthier, Philadelphia City Councilmember Rue Landau echoed her fellow legislator’s sentiments, saying she wants to build on the work that has been done across decades to make sure Philadelphians are safe. She argued that partnerships between the community, legislators and the city’s police force are working in tandem to protect the city’s residents on a regular basis, all “rowing in the same direction.” “ICE do not come to Philadelphia. If you’re already here, don’t even think about descending on Philadelphia,” she said. “We will protect folks around here. We have a coalition that is ready for you.” For his part, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said the issue of ICE and its actions across the county boil down to one simple thing. “This is ultimately about good versus evil. That’s what it is. It’s about good versus evil,” he said. “Renee Nicole Good is just part of that good and she is up against evil.” He said that he’s heard stories of Americans calling police after they were shot by ICE agents. He also questioned what it meant when American citizens were calling for help from law enforcement to protect them from officers from their own government. “What does it mean? It means that we are talking about good versus evil. We are talking about unchecked power,” Krasner said. Like his fellow elected officials, Krasner vowed to fight oppression of the city’s residents. He also said that if he sees ICE operating in a fashion similar to the agent involved in the deadly Minnesota shooting, he would not hesitate to prosecute against a federal agent. “We will arrest you. We will handcuff you. We will close those cuffs. We will put you in a cell. We will set your bail and I’m going to ask for it to be appropriately high,” said Krasner. “We will take you to trial and I’m going to do everything in my power to convict you and we will make sure you serve your entire sentence because Donald Trump has no power, whatsoever, to pardon you. That’s the way the law works.” Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal agreed with Krasner, promising to bring “smoke” to ICE agents if they believe they can come to Philadelphia and act without accountability. She opened her comments by reminding the gathered crowd that she had recently criticized ICE, saying that trained agents “do not act like this.” “When I say, you don’t want this smoke, the smoke is from both sides. The sheriff’s office is obligated because we believe in the Constitution of the United States,” she said. “We follow the law and the smoke means, you will get arrested, you will get prosecuted and you will go to jail.” Towards the end of the event, Krasner reinforced local officials’ authority in the city, arguing that law dictates that in any American city federal agents can be arrested, prosecuted and cannot be pardoned by the President of the United States. “What the law says is very clear, very clear, very clear, do you hear me JD Vance?” Krasner performatively asked the Vice President. “What the law says is federal officers can’t murder you.” ...read more read less