PHILADELPHIA (January 29, 2026) – The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers on Thursday urged City Council to prioritize passage of the ICE OUT legislative package in order to protect students and families from violence and brutality by federal agents.
“Philadelphia educators are watching in horror as federal agencies invade once-peaceful communities in Minnesota and across the country, making daily life including schooling untenable. The terror and trauma being inflicted on students, including those most vulnerable to racism and abuse, is sickening to witness. At the same time, we are in awe of everyone – including our siblings in education and organized labor – putting their bodies in front of masked armed agents who are terrorizing their communities,” PFT President Arthur G. Steinberg said.
“The PFT is proud to endorse the ICE OUT legislative package introduced today by Council Minority Leader Kendra Brooks and At-Large member Rue Landau to fortify public spaces including schools as off-limits for state terror in the guise of immigration enforcement,” President Steinberg continued. “Too many of our neighbors have already been targeted by ICE; too many of our students live in fear that they and their guardians will be next. The ICE OUT bills will help ensure that all available legal tools and resources are deployed to protect our neighbors from violent invasion by the federal government in the city where American democracy was born.”
President Steinberg concluded, “The PFT is proud to be in community and coalition with Philadelphians working tirelessly to defend the rights of their neighbors. Educators across the country including PFT members are doing their jobs while working to assure terrified students that they are the helpers; the helpers are already here. The ICE OUT legislative package introduced today will ensure that all Philadelphians who strive to be helpers have the protection and backing of their city government.”
Learn more about the ICE OUT package on PHLCouncil.com
