Philly Council passes ‘ICE Out’ bills | Morning Newsletter
🧹 And street cleaning fines stack up
The Morning Newsletter
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We made it to Friday. Expect partly sunny skies, then showers in the evening.
Philadelphia City Council just approved some of the nation’s most aggressive restrictions on immigration enforcement. We explain what it means, and what’s next.
And with the city’s seasonal street-cleaning program underway, it appears thousands of tickets remain unpaid from last year’s sweep.
Plus, one of Philly’s first restaurants to be honored by the Michelin Guide was shut down, and more news of the day.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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On Thursday, City Council passed a major legislative package that would restrict immigration enforcement in Philadelphia.
The seven bills put the city into the fight against President Donald Trump’s nationwide deportation campaign, a scenario Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has tried to avoid for months. The legislation now heads to Parker’s desk.
Some of the policies include:
😷 A ban on law enforcement using masks to hide their identities.
🏛️ A ban on federal authorities using city properties as staging or processing areas.
🏙️ An enactment of the city’s sanctuary city status, which would prevent future mayors from ending the policy without Council approval.
This comes as activists say the presence of ICE at courthouses risks immigrants’ safety, following the detainment of a 76-year-old Indonesian man who appeared in court as a witness and ended up in custody.
City Hall reporter Sean Collins Walsh breaks down the bills and more.
In other City Council news: The chamber passed two bills meant to protect renters living in unsafe and unhealthy homes after a couple of last-ditch attempts by landlords in court to stop them.
Street cleaning kicked off earlier this month across Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. To allow for cleaning crews to reach street curbs, parking restrictions are in effect, and violators will be fined accordingly.
According to the Philadelphia Parking Authority, though, thousands of tickets issued during last year’s program have gone unpaid.
🧹 In 2025, the city issued 151,392 tickets and raked in more than $3.2 million in related violations.
🧹 42,150 of those citations are still not paid, accounting for $1.3 million in outstanding fines.
Business reporter Ariana Perez-Castells has the figures, and Jillian Kramer has the rundown on when and where mechanical brooms will scrub streets near you.
What you should know today
Bowing to City Council pressure, Philadelphia’s school board delayed its plan to vote Thursday on a controversial facilities plan that would close 17 schools.
The gunman who police say was involved in a mass shooting in South Philadelphia last summer turned himself in to authorities on Thursday.
District Attorney Larry Krasner called state lawmakers “lawbreakers” for delaying a vote on felony murder bills that would give some incarcerated people the chance at release after 25 years.
Two masked men armed with rifles confronted a Brinks armored truck driver in Tacony on Tuesday and fled with $1.8 million in cash, a law enforcement source said.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed State Rep. Chris Rabb for Philadelphia’s open seat in Congress.
Two Delco police officers allegedly provided confidential information to a drug dealer — one of them in exchange for cocaine.
Roxanne, one of Philadelphia’s first Michelin Guide-recommended restaurants, has been operating without a license to prepare or serve food since it opened, according to the City of Philadelphia.
When Purdue filed for bankruptcy in 2019, nearly 140,000 people filed claims against the company for the harm they said its drugs caused. According to a ProPublica and Inquirer examination of court records, fewer than half of those who originally applied for a settlement will receive any compensation.
Comcast is expanding its mobile services as it looks to leverage an uptick in wireless demand, offset the departure of cable and internet subscribers, and convince customers with a free cell phone line to pay.
The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute is renovating its historic home at Saint Patrick Hall near Rittenhouse Square, thanks to a $1.5 million gift.
Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.
Every year, the Philadelphia Flower Show — the nation’s oldest — displays elaborate floral arrangements with thousands of plants and cut flowers. This week, we’re resurfacing an explainer on where the flowers go after it’s all over. Here’s the full story.
Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.
🧠 Trivia time
Before he was Apple’s next CEO, John Ternus was a Penn athlete. What sport did the class of 1997 graduate compete in at university?
A) Track and field
B) Rugby
C) Tennis
D) Swimming
Test your local news know-how and check your answer in our weekly quiz.
What (and whom) we’re...
⚾ Saying goodbye to: Taijuan Walker. The Phillies released the pitcher with $15.3 million left on his contract.
🗓️ Recognizing on May 21: “Ona Judge Day,” thanks to a new City Council resolution, to honor her pursuit of freedom 230 years ago.
🏃 Recapping: Day one of the 130th annual Penn Relays.
📬 Thanking: Philadelphia postmaster Ben Franklin for his role in bringing us the U.S. Postal Service as we know it.
🍺 Toasting to: Two Northwest Philly breweries that just won gold medals at the World Beer Cup.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Nonprofit retirement home in West Philadelphia
SHINE OPOSSUM
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Joe Hanley, who solved Thursday’s anagram: DeVonta Smith. The Eagles wide receiver was a special guest star on last night’s season finale of “Abbott Elementary.”
Photo of the day
🏒 One more playoff thing: Shoutout to the fan from Fishtown who gave Penguins center Sidney Crosby a look that spoke for everyone.
Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Have a wonderful weekend, and let’s go Flyers.
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