Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Center City Philadelphia on Monday to protest the escalating crackdowns by ICE under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Union members joined concerned neighbors and advocates throughout the area to speak out against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s aggressive raids and deportations. Monday’s protest specifically demanded the release of David Huerta, president of SEIU California, who was arrested Friday during a demonstration against the recent surge in immigration raids in Los Angeles. Huerta was released on bail Monday.
Huerta’s arrest sparked national protests over the weekend — demonstrations were held from California to New York — and his story has since become a rallying cry for Trump’s hardline immigration agenda.
Sanctuary status offers little protection from ICE
California is a sanctuary state, which Trump threatened explicitly on April 28 saying, “No more Sanctuary Cities! They protect the Criminals, not the Victims. They are disgracing our Country, and are being mocked all over the World. Working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows these Death Traps to exist!!!”
Philadelphia is a sanctuary city, and many surrounding suburbs have sanctuary status of some degree, yet ICE has been increasingly active throughout the area. Last week there was a string of arrests in Norristown conducted by ICE. On Friday in Bucks County, ICE was spotted in Warminster, and according to ICE documents there are currently 42 men detained at FDC Philadelphia at 700 Arch Street.
According to the ICE FY 2025 detention stats, half of the men detained at FDC Philadelphia have no criminal record and it is the only ICE detention center that has not been inspected by ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight or by Operational Review Self-Assessment. ICE is also monitoring more than 7,000 Philadelphians using technology like the SmartLink phone app and wrist or ankle-worn monitors akin to house arrest sensors.
Organized labor, advocacy groups lead the charge
Philadelphia’s protest was organized by the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ as well as PSL Philly and Reclaim Philadelphia.
Sam Williamson, vice president of SEIU and Pennsylvania state director for SEIU Local 32BJ, spoke at the protest, and told Metro that Huerta is, “A father, an American citizen, and he’s given his entire life fighting for other people and making people’s lives better. He was detained on Friday while peacefully protesting against the brutal and militaristic ICE raids taking place in California.”
Monday’s crowd outside the Liberty Bell was diverse in age and race.
Xavier Stephenson, 23, had seen a flyer for the protest online and said he thought, “I should go to that because seeing what’s happening with ICE detaining people — they’re not acting like ICE, they’re acting like the Gestapo.”
Overall the protest was filled with poignant speeches, impassioned chants, and frustration with the status quo. It seemed to be a non-violent, family friendly environment with little to no interference to traffic. This reporter saw no counter-protestors and only spotted a relatively light police presence.
One detail that was unique to this protest was the ample amount of American flags.
One woman, who asked only to be identified as Amy from South Philly, said she wanted to hold the stars and stripes to proudly show what she felt patriotism meant — a sign for fighting for what is right.
“I’ve always loved our flag and I’ve always hated that the wrong type have associated themselves with it and sort of decided what patriotism is and what loving our country is,” she said. “I love holding this flag, it’s a good sign that we’re fighting for what’s lawfully ours and I’m proud of this country.”
