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Philadelphia, PA Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Enacted
Bill Nos. 260056 & 260057, May 7 2026
Core rule
No detention on ICE detainer alone
287(g) agreements
Banned citywide
Max fine
$2,000 per violation
Enforcement
City Solicitor or private civil suit

Summary

City agencies cannot hold anyone past their release date on an ICE detainer or administrative warrant, and Philadelphia is barred from entering 287(g) agreements deputizing local police as immigration agents.

No City Agency or Employee shall enter into, renew, or participate in a 287(g) Agreement with the federal government. ... No City agency, official, or employee shall stop, arrest, detain, or continue to detain a person after that person becomes eligible for release from custody ... based on any of the following: (a) An immigration detainer; (b) An administrative warrant; or (c) Information or suspicion that a person is not present legally in the United States...

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Philadelphia Code Chapter 21-3700, added by Bill Nos. 260056 and 260057 (approved May 7, 2026), bars city agencies and employees from asking about immigration status, sharing status information with federal agents, or detaining someone past their release-eligible moment based solely on an immigration detainer or administrative warrant. It separately bans the City from entering, renewing, or participating in any 287(g) agreement that deputizes local officers as federal immigration enforcement agents, and bars contracts to house ICE detainees in city jail facilities.

Violations & Fines

Enforced by the City Solicitor or any aggrieved individual via civil suit; courts may order cease-and-desist, damages, attorneys' fees, fines up to $2,000 per violation, and contractor debarment up to five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Philadelphia police hold someone extra time for ICE?
No. Section 21-3706(4) bars continued detention based on an immigration detainer, administrative warrant, or suspected status violation, absent a judicial warrant.
Does Philadelphia sign 287(g) agreements with ICE?
No. Section 21-3706(2) prohibits any city agency or employee from entering, renewing, or participating in a 287(g) agreement with the federal government.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Philadelphia

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All Philadelphia rules

Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania immigration policy overview

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