‘Protect us’: Activists demand end to ICE arrests outside Philly courts
By NBC10 News
Published April 21, 2026
Attorneys, volunteers and community advocates gathered outside the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center on Tuesday to call for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions near city courts.
The demonstration came a day after another reported ICE detention — something activists say is a growing concern in the area.
With signs and chants, protesters directed their message to judges and the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, urging local officials to take action.
“We demand that our local government stand up and protect us,” Cathryn Miller-Wilson of HIAS PA said.
Advocates said arrests outside courthouses are not new, but argued they are happening more frequently. They warned the practice is having a direct impact on the justice system, discouraging people from showing up to court.
“It could potentially mean the system collapses if we don’t have people able to show up safely. We don’t have victims, or witnesses or defendants that want to show up for the cases,” Lilah Thompson of the Defender Association of Philadelphia said.
