PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Latest on Philadelphia’s decision to stop giving ICE real-time arrest data (all times local):
3:15 p.m.
The Department of Homeland Security says Philadelphia’s decision to end U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to its real-time arrest data is irresponsible.
In a statement emailed Friday afternoon, Homeland Security says Philadelphia will end up “harboring criminal aliens” at the expense of the safety of American citizens.
Philadelphia’s Democratic mayor, Jim Kenney, announced earlier he would not renew the city’s contract with ICE that allowed access to the data. He says ICE had been using the system beyond its intended scope to target otherwise law-abiding people.
The federal government had tried to withhold grant funding from the city after it refused to abide by several requests for access to inmates in Philadelphia’s jails and the release of those inmates into ICE custody. A judge has sided with Philadelphia’s decision to require judicial warrants.
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2:25 p.m.
Federal officials are not yet commenting on Philadelphia’s announcement that it would end access for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to its real-time arrest database.
Spokespeople for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment on the decision.
Philadelphia’s Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney made the announcement Friday, saying city staff had determined that ICE uses the system beyond its intended scope to target otherwise law-abiding people. He has said he believes that the use by ICE makes immigrants less likely to report crimes.
As a “sanctuary city,” Philadelphia had already curbed cooperation with immigration enforcement. It won’t release inmates to ICE without a judicial warrant.
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12:44 p.m.
Philadelphia will stop sharing real-time arrest data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney announced Friday the city will not renew a contract with ICE that expires the end of August.
Kenney says immigration officers have been using information from the database to go after law-abiding Philadelphia residents.
He says such actions have created fear and distrust in the city’s immigrant community and made it more difficult for police to solve crimes.
As a “sanctuary city,” Philadelphia had already curbed cooperation with immigration enforcement. It won’t release inmates to ICE without a judicial warrant.
The Trump administration wants to cut funding to the city as a result but has so far been blocked by a judge.
Kenney says “how anyone can define this as making America great again is beyond me.”
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