Philadelphia has long been known as a welcoming city, but heightened immigration enforcement is testing that promise for many of our immigrant neighbors. At The Welcoming Center, we are deeply concerned about the significant federal resources devoted to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the expansion of detention capacity, rather than investments that would reduce immigration court backlogs or create a more efficient, humane path to citizenship. 

Across the country and in our region, communities are reporting increased enforcement actions that heighten fear in homes, workplaces, schools, and public spaces. Here in Philadelphia, participants in our programs have shared anxieties about moving freely in their neighborhoods and even visiting our center, which is meant to be a place of safety and belonging. The Philadelphia School District has also indicated it is preparing for the possibility of ICE activity near schools. In the early summer of 2025, at a supermarket raid in Norristown, Pennsylvania, 14 customers and workers were detained, despite none having a criminal record.   

This climate of fear is taking a toll. National civil rights organizations have documented that families are keeping children home from school, and many parents worry about being separated from loved ones. These fears are heightened by the patterns of impunity with which federal agents act, too often disregarding due process and fundamental constitutional rights. Families fear being suddenly and painfully separated, with little clarity about what will follow. These concerns extend beyond immediate safety to broader impacts on health, well-being, and community trust. 

Every dollar spent on ICE enforcement is a dollar not available for education, healthcare, infrastructure, or local services. When it comes to immigration, those funds could instead support pragmatic and even bipartisan investments that would create a more efficient and humane path to citizenship and integration.   

Workforce integration and upskilling programs fill critical labor gaps while reducing reliance on social services. Detention can cost nearly $200 per person per day, whereas community-based alternatives or alternatives to detention (ATD) cost approximately $10 per day and save taxpayers a significant amount of money. Reallocating resources could also fund evaluations comparing integration-focused strategies with detention-heavy approaches. These evaluations could track outcomes such as employment rates, court compliance, and public safety. Measuring results would provide evidence for cost-effective policies and hold programs accountable. 

At The Welcoming Center, we remain steadfast in our mission to support immigrant families. We continue to provide resources, education, and safe spaces, including hosting “Know Your Rights” trainings in partnership with local organizations and immigration attorneys. Our message is clear: immigrants are valued members of our community, and The Welcoming Center will always be a place where they are respected, celebrated, and welcomed.