The city of Philadelphia will not renew their contract with the Immigrations Customs Enforcement agency to provide them with the Police Department’s Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System (PARS), according to Mayor Kenney.
“For some time now we have been concerned that ICE uses PARS in inappropriate ways, including to conduct investigations that result in immigration enforcement against law-abiding Philadelphia residents,” a press release sent out by the mayor’s office said.
When advocates for the immigrant community brought to our attention concerns about a longstanding agreement the City had with ICE, we took them seriously. We engaged in a dialogue with ICE about its use of PARS data, and unfortunately, ICE officials confirmed our concerns. pic.twitter.com/5UDq6qx2Kw
— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) July 27, 2018
“It’s a decision that will, once again, reinforce to our immigrant communities that the City is not an extension of ICE,” Miriam Enriquez, Director of the City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, said. “Witnesses and victims of crime in our City will know they need not fear adverse immigration consequences when they report crimes or use services offered by the City.”
In the letter notifying ICE of the decision, they specified that this will have no impact on the city’s other partnerships with federal law enforcement agencies including the United States Attorney’s Office, FBI, DEA, and ATF, among others.
City Solicitor Marcel Pratt stated, “This practice is antithetical to Philadelphia’s policies as a Welcoming City, and the Mayor rightfully decided that renewal was not in the best interest of the City and its residents.”
The contract that allows ICE access to PARS is set to expire at the end of August.
Mayor Kenney, a Democrat, most notably took on the president after President Trump revoked the Philadelphia Eagles’ invitation to celebrate their Super Bowl victory at the White House.