ICE to send SRT units to multiple cities, including Philly
ICE to send tactical units to multiple cities, including Philly, sources say
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are deploying tactical units to Philadelphia in efforts to manage protests against their assignment, Sources with NBC News confirmed
Why are Tactical Units being sent to Philadelphia?
As marines mobilize in Los Angeles in response to protests against ICE, the federal law enforcement agency is preparing to send Special Response Team (SRT) units to multiple Democratic-led cities across the country, including Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle, North Virginia, and New York.
What is an SRT?
SRTs are tactical units under ICE that are used for operations which are considered high risk. They were also used recently in Los Angeles during some of the immigration raids that saw dozens of people taken into custody. The raids led to massive multi-day protests in Los Angeles in which civilians clashed with law enforcement.
Philadelphia Councilmember Rue Landau who said specialized federal forces in Philly would be an overstep that could put the city in a dangerous position.
“Philadelphia has always been a welcoming city. This whole country was built on immigrants. Philadelphia was built on immigrants and we are gaining in population because of our wonderful immigrant communities,” Landau said. “They are neighbors. They go to school with our kids. They are our coworkers and everyone we love in Philadelphia and the fact that there would be such an awful vindictive vendetta against them is just heartbreaking.”
Center City Anti-ICE protest
An anti-ICE protest also occurred in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 10. During the protest, 15 people were arrested and four others were injured, including two police officers.
Tom Homan, President Trump’s boarder czar, alluded to the protests as an act of a ‘third world nation’.
“We can conduct ICE raids, but it’s about it’s about the threats and the violence right now. I mean, this job is already dangerous — I’ve done this for a long time,” Homan said. “These men and women have to wear a gun you know, in the capital of Kevlar vest its dangerous. But I mean, our ICE officers have been attacked. It’s like we’re a third world nation where people think it’s ok to threaten law enforcement and their families.”
Also on Tuesday, federal agents arrested a man in South Philadelphia on the morning of the protests, leaving the immigrant community there on edge.
It is unclear if raids will take place in Philadelphia, but sources said the SRT units have been told to ‘be ready to deploy’.
Immigration rights groups have been urging Philadelphians to remain vigilant, stay prepared, and know their rights.
“They should not open the door if immigration comes to their house,” Blanca Pacheco of the New Sanctuary Movement, said. “They should ask for a judicial warrant that’s current with the dates current and the name of the person that they’re looking for. Otherwise, they don’t have to open the door.”
More Immigration and Customs Enforcement Reads:
RELATED: Philadelphia labor unions call for an end to ICE raids nationwide
RELATED: Center City Anti-ICE protest: 15 Arrests, 2 Officers Injured
RELATED: ICE Raids Philadelphia Car Wash In Juniata Park — 7 Men Reported
