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Philadelphia set to extend rights of immigrants

June 28, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
Posted by Exclusive Visas

Philadelphia set to extend rights of immigrantsThe city of Philadelphia is expected to bar federal immigration authorities from using its police department’s arrest database.

The arrangement between Philadelphia and Immigration and Customs Enforcement service (ICE) had been in place for one year and had led to the deportation of a number of immigrants for minor offenses, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Under the agreement, which is up for renewal this week, ICE can access the city’s Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System (PARS).

“It is the mayor’s view that the PARS agreement should not be extended,” Everett Gillison, the deputy mayor for public safety, said.

During his time in office, Mayor Michael Nutter has fought hard to protect the rights of immigrants regardless of their legal status.

Last year, Nutter barred all city employees on official business from asking anyone about their immigration status.

Many were pleased that Nutter appears ready to end ICE’s access to PARS.

“This is about human rights. It’s about civil rights,” city council woman Maria Quiñones Sánchez said. “And I am very, very encouraged by [the administration's] movement around PARS.”

The move by Nutter’s administration will likely ensure that all immigrants in Philadelphia, including those who obtained green cards through the EB-5 visa program, will not be unfairly deported.


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