Philadelphia has long been a sanctuary for those seeking safety, dignity, and a better life. In 2016, the city took a powerful stand under Mayor Jim Kenney, issuing an executive order that limited cooperation with ICE detainer requests and affirmed our city as a Welcoming City for immigrants. That policy still stands—and it must continue to.

Now, with renewed threats from former President Donald Trump and his allies against sanctuary jurisdictions, Philadelphia is once again in the national spotlight. But our current mayor, Cherelle Parker, has remained largely silent in the face of these escalating attacks.

As people who live, work, and raise families in this city, we call on Mayor Parker to make a clear, public commitment: defend our sanctuary city policies and stand with immigrant communities—loudly and without hesitation.

Mayor Parker’s administration has said it’s willing to fight in court if federal funding is threatened. That’s important. But it’s not enough. What’s missing is public moral leadership. Community members, clergy, and advocates have shown up with open hands, asking to collaborate and protect our most vulnerable neighbors. They deserve to be heard—and responded to.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about values. About keeping families together. About making sure people feel safe calling 911, sending their kids to school, or walking to work—regardless of immigration status.

Mayor Parker, we urge you to do what Philadelphia has always done best: lead with courage. Say it clearly and say it proudly—Philadelphia will not back down.

Stand firm. Stand with us.

Sign this petition to show your support for immigrant families and demand that Mayor Cherelle Parker protect and publicly defend Philadelphia’s sanctuary city policies.