Philadelphia Sheriff Warns ICE: “You Don’t Want This Smoke” Amid National Immigration Tensions

Philadelphia, January 10 (TNA) Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal unleashed a scathing rebuke against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, labelling them “fake, made-up, wannabe law enforcement” during a January 9 press conference, vowing to arrest any who commits crimes in the city.

The remarks, joined by District Attorney Larry Krasner, follow the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Renée Nicole Macklin Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on January 7, intensifying debates over federal immigration tactics.

Renée Good, 37, was killed when ICE agent Jonathan Ross fired three shots into her vehicle during an operation on Portland Avenue, after agents approached her car amid conflicting orders to exit. Witnesses reported agents fleeing the scene post-shooting, delaying aid; DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Good “weaponised her vehicle” after impeding operations, though video evidence shows ambiguity. The incident has fueled protests nationwide, spotlighting ICE’s use of force amid President Trump’s renewed enforcement push.

Bilal declared ICE violates “legal and moral law,” stating her office’s longstanding non-cooperation policy remains firm: no assistance, no information sharing. “You don’t want this smoke, because we will bring it,” she warned, with Krasner pledging prosecutions immune to federal pardons. Community leaders and advocates rallied in support, decrying ICE as overreaching in sanctuary cities like Philadelphia.

The viral clip of Bilal’s speech has dominated social media, drawing praise from immigration activists but criticism over her past controversies, including fund misuse allegations. Federal officials have not directly responded, but tensions echo prior Philly clashes, like December courthouse protests. As ICE ramps up under the Trump administration, local-federal rifts deepen across U.S. cities.