End ICE-Philly Crime Data Partnership: DA Larry Krasner

PHILADELPHIA – With anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protests in the news, Philadelphia'a top prosecutor is coming out against the city's partnership with ICE that provides them access to a city-run crime database that ICE can use to find undocumented residents.

District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement Wednesday that he will vote against reauthorizing ICE access to Philadelphia's Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System.

"Let me be crystal clear: I will absolutely be a 'no' vote to provide additional access to PARS for ICE," Krasner said in a statement. "The current arrangement shares information with ICE in a way that should not continue."

Krasner cited concerns over public safety and the need to have survivors and witnesses be full participants in the justice system.

"My office needs witnesses and victims to testify in court to achieve successful prosecutions," Krasner said. "Many immigrants are scared to participate in our criminal justice system because they are fearful that they or their loved ones will be deported."

Krasner's point echoes those made by pro "sanctuary city" advocates, who say when local authorities cooperate with ICE in handing over undocumented residents hurts police-community relations and can lead to less crime victims coming forward to police for fear of deportation.

"Quite frankly, cooperating with ICE at this time makes our city less safe because it makes undocumented individuals fearful of coming forward to report crimes or testify in criminal cases," he said. That’s simply unacceptable."

PARS provides immigration authorities with "country of origin" and Social Security data, which can then be used to target undocumented individuals for deportation purposes.

By August 31, three key stakeholders in PARS – the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, the City of Philadelphia, and the First Judicial District – will either reauthorize or decline ICE access to PARS.

"I know that my partners in public safety, both the City of Philadelphia and the First Judicial District, share my desire to make sure that immigrant communities are able to fully participate in the criminal justice system," he said. "I hope that they will join me in ending ICE access to PARS by voting against extending the current contract."

Recently, numerous people have been cited for blocking the doors to the ICE building on Cherry Street in Philadelphia during anti-ICE protests.

Image via Immigration and Customs Enforcement