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PHILADELPHIA (TNS) — One of Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators on Wednesday derided a decision by Philadelphia’s new mayor to return the City of Brotherly Love to a “sanctuary city” status.
Following his inauguration ceremony and being sworn in as Philadelphia’s 99th Mayor on Monday, Jim Kenney signed six executive orders, one of which fulfilled a campaign pledge — to reinforce Philadelphia’s status as a “sanctuary city” that won’t turn undocumented immigrants over to federal authorities if arrested but freed on minor criminal charges.
That order undid a change adopted last month by then -mayor Michael Nutter that allowed local law enforcement to inform the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, about detainees who have engaged in or are suspected of terrorism or espionage.
In 2014, Nutter signed a similar order that barred police from holding immigrants solely on immigration detainers without an additional warrant. But the city had considered a policy change late last year that would have allowed greater cooperation with immigration officials, outraging immigrant-rights groups.
Kenney said at the time he wanted Philadelphia to retain its status as a “sanctuary city.”
U.S. Sen Pat Toomey, R-Zionsville, on Wednesday in a statement released by his re-election campaign said the city has “decided to defy both federal law and common sense at the expense of keeping Pennsylvanians safe. I strongly urge more Pennsylvania Democrats to call on Mayor Kenney to reconsider his decision to shield dangerous and violent criminals from federal authorities just because they are illegal immigrants.”
Toomey’s campaign also used the opportuity to take a swipe at the one of the three Democrats vying for a shot at his seat in the May primary.
“Already, Katie McGinty’s campaign chairman Ed Rendell voiced disapproval at Mayor Kenney’s actions on Tuesday, which makes her decision last year to oppose common sense legislation prohibiting sanctuary cities even more glaring. In the interest of public safety, Katie McGinty should join Senator Toomey and Governor Rendell in opposing Mayor Kenney’s decision on this crucial safety issue for all Pennsylvanians,” Toomey’s news release said.
McGinty, former chief of staff for Gov. Wolf, DEP secretary and environmental advisor to President Bill Clinton, is facing former congressman and U.S. Navy three-star admiral Joe Sestak and Braddock Mayor John Fetterman in the May primary.
Outside City Hall on Monday, an immigration-rights group presented Kenney with homemade bread baked by undocumented immigrants.
Kenney’s other executive orders on Monday created or re-established City Hall posts devoted to increased diversity in contracting and hiring, oversight of planning and development, and watchdogging of government ethics.
Kenney, 57, a Democrat, took the oath of office Monday morning during an elaborate swearing-in ceremony in the ornate concert hall of the 159-year-old Academy of Music. On stage to watch were the city’s living former mayors — William J. Green III, W. Wilson Goode Sr., Edward G. Rendell, John F. Street and Nutter. Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. Mike Stack were there, as was U.S. Sen. Robert P. Casey, D-Scranton.
Times Leader reporter Steve Mocarsky and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
