Undercover at radical left-wing ‘ICE Out’ trainings

In 2026, Philadelphia's political landscape became embroiled in controversy as District Attorney Larry Krasner, County Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, and the City Council adopted radical stances against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Krasner referred to ICE officers as “wannabe Nazis,” while Bilal dismissed them as “fake law enforcement.” The City Council even passed “ICE Out” legislation to limit ICE's activities within the city, despite the absence of any significant incidents involving ICE. This anti-ICE sentiment has intensified recently, even in the wake of high-profile violent crimes in the city, prompting two City Council members to organize activist training sessions aimed at mobilizing resistance against ICE.

Infiltrating one of these training sessions, the author adopted an alias and a left-wing activist persona to observe the proceedings. The event began with a moment of silence for individuals purportedly victimized by ICE, a stark contrast to the lack of acknowledgment for victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants—an omission that underscored the ideological bias of the organizers. The training sessions aimed to equip activists with strategies to confront and document ICE activities, centered around a framework dubbed the “Five D’s of Fighting ICE,” which included documenting encounters, disseminating information, and disrupting operations.

The training emphasized the importance of gathering intelligence on ICE operations, encouraging participants to photograph and film encounters with ICE officers rather than the individuals targeted by these enforcement actions. This approach reflected a broader agenda to protect illegal immigrants while vilifying law enforcement officers tasked with upholding immigration laws. The rhetoric used in the training depicted ICE as deceptive and manipulative, further entrenching the anti-ICE narrative among attendees.

Additionally, the training utilized acronyms, such as S.A.L.U.T.E., to guide participants in reporting ICE activities. This communication strategy instructed activists on how to detail their observations of ICE officers, including their number, actions, clothing, and equipment. The focus on documentation was paired with role-playing exercises that allowed attendees to practice responses to hypothetical ICE raids, reinforcing their commitment to disrupting ICE operations in real-life scenarios.

Ultimately, the training sessions revealed a concerted effort among Philadelphia's left-wing activists to mobilize against ICE, employing a mix of ideological fervor and tactical preparation. The stark contrast between the acknowledgment of alleged ICE victims and the silence surrounding victims of illegal immigrant violence highlighted the prevailing biases within these activist circles. Through a combination of direct action strategies and community engagement, these sessions aimed to create a robust network of activists prepared to confront ICE in various capacities, reflecting a broader national debate on immigration enforcement and law enforcement's role in society.