Applaud Cities Standing Up to Protect Their Communities

Across the country, cities are refusing to sit back while federal immigration raids sow fear and chaos — and they deserve to be celebrated.

From Minneapolis to Chicago, from Philadelphia to Oakland, local leaders and community members are developing bold, creative strategies to protect their neighbors. They are establishing “ICE-free zones” around public spaces like hospitals and courthouses, making it safer for families to seek care, attend school, and access services without fear of detention.

They are strengthening accountability by documenting federal agents’ actions and building legal pathways to challenge misconduct. Prosecutors are forming coalitions to share strategies and uphold the rule of law when federal authorities overstep their bounds.

They are blocking attempts to turn local warehouses into detention centers, passing moratoriums on new jails, canceling leases, and even cutting contracts that support ICE operations — from rental cars to parking garages. In some cities, officials are withholding liquor license renewals from hotels that house ICE agents.

These efforts are about more than policy — they are about protecting families, defending civil liberties, and ensuring that public resources are not used to harm communities. City leaders are showing that courage and creativity can push back against fear-driven policies and uphold the dignity of residents.

Add your name to celebrate the cities, organizers, and elected officials who are standing up for their communities, defending civil rights, and proving that when people come together, they can protect one another.