PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Philadelphia County sheriff claimed during a press briefing earlier in January that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a “fake” law enforcement agency and has committed to arresting ICE agents engaged in their duties within the county.
On January 8th, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, who oversees the Office of the Sheriff for the City and County of Philadelphia, spoke before the media during a press conference where she asserted that ICE is somehow an illegitimate law enforcement agency. Sheriff Bilal shared said sentiments in the wake of the fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis.
“This should not have happened, but we're here today. Let know that law enforcement professionals, real ones - not the fake, made-up ICE, probably Trump’s new army to attack citizens of the United States - did you hear what I said? No law enforcement professional wears a mask. None,” the sheriff stated.
The Philadelphia County sheriff claimed her office will be working alongside District Attorney Larry Krasner to arrest ICE agents who are “wearing a mask to commit crime,” implying the actions of the ICE agent in Minneapolis who fatally shot anti-ICE activist Renee Good was somehow unlawful.
“I'm saying now we are not going to whisk you away for them to hide your identity, because when you do it there, you're getting arrested there. No whisk away for them to hide you. None of that here,” Sheriff Bilal stated, adding, “Law enforcement professionals do not shoot at moving vehicles. Not saying fleeing, because she wasn't fleeing. She was getting out of the way.”
In no uncertain terms, Sheriff Bilal reiterated her stance on arresting ICE agents she believes to have broken any laws in the course of their official duties, emphasizing the point via the expression, “You don’t want this smoke,” which is a turn of phrase intrinsically associated with African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
“You don't want this smoke, because we will bring it to you,” Sheriff Bilal stated, adding, “And the fake, whatever they call them, because I can't say the name, but the criminal in the White House would not be able to keep you from going to jail.”
While Sheriff Bilal’s statements are confrontational in appearance, they may very well be hollow in nature, as no state or local authority can arrest or prosecute a federal agent or officer for actions taken in line with their official duties, as previously reported in Law Enforcement Today.
This past October, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a warning letter to California officials after Rep. Nancy Pelosi made similar remarks about potentially arresting ICE agents and officers, warning that any such effort would be “both illegal and futile.” In Deputy AG Blanche’s October letter, he was clear that state and local authorities who attempt or conspire to arrest federal agents will face prosecution.
Given the public comments Sheriff Bilal made about potentially arresting ICE agents and officers carrying out their lawful duties, if she does carry out on that commitment, the Philadelphia County sheriff could very well face arrest and prosecution herself.
On January 8th, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, who oversees the Office of the Sheriff for the City and County of Philadelphia, spoke before the media during a press conference where she asserted that ICE is somehow an illegitimate law enforcement agency. Sheriff Bilal shared said sentiments in the wake of the fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis.
“This should not have happened, but we're here today. Let know that law enforcement professionals, real ones - not the fake, made-up ICE, probably Trump’s new army to attack citizens of the United States - did you hear what I said? No law enforcement professional wears a mask. None,” the sheriff stated.
The Philadelphia County sheriff claimed her office will be working alongside District Attorney Larry Krasner to arrest ICE agents who are “wearing a mask to commit crime,” implying the actions of the ICE agent in Minneapolis who fatally shot anti-ICE activist Renee Good was somehow unlawful.
“I'm saying now we are not going to whisk you away for them to hide your identity, because when you do it there, you're getting arrested there. No whisk away for them to hide you. None of that here,” Sheriff Bilal stated, adding, “Law enforcement professionals do not shoot at moving vehicles. Not saying fleeing, because she wasn't fleeing. She was getting out of the way.”
In no uncertain terms, Sheriff Bilal reiterated her stance on arresting ICE agents she believes to have broken any laws in the course of their official duties, emphasizing the point via the expression, “You don’t want this smoke,” which is a turn of phrase intrinsically associated with African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
“You don't want this smoke, because we will bring it to you,” Sheriff Bilal stated, adding, “And the fake, whatever they call them, because I can't say the name, but the criminal in the White House would not be able to keep you from going to jail.”
While Sheriff Bilal’s statements are confrontational in appearance, they may very well be hollow in nature, as no state or local authority can arrest or prosecute a federal agent or officer for actions taken in line with their official duties, as previously reported in Law Enforcement Today.
This past October, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a warning letter to California officials after Rep. Nancy Pelosi made similar remarks about potentially arresting ICE agents and officers, warning that any such effort would be “both illegal and futile.” In Deputy AG Blanche’s October letter, he was clear that state and local authorities who attempt or conspire to arrest federal agents will face prosecution.
Given the public comments Sheriff Bilal made about potentially arresting ICE agents and officers carrying out their lawful duties, if she does carry out on that commitment, the Philadelphia County sheriff could very well face arrest and prosecution herself.
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Comments
2026-01-10T15:50-0500 | Comment by: Daniel
DEI at it's finest. What an idiot.
2026-01-10T16:36-0500 | Comment by: gracey
showing America, how stupid lying democrats are as they support drug cartels, human trafficking, trans gender groomers, pedophiles, criminals, illegal border insurgents, and communists to destroy America.
2026-01-10T16:41-0500 | Comment by: Rick
Hmm...this should be interesting. I wonder whether she is familiar with 18 U.S.C. § § 111 and 1501.
2026-01-10T18:00-0500 | Comment by: Jan
DEI has put many people with deeply rooted character flaws to pose as the real thing. Based on this report, I would way this sheriff is a walking defect.
2026-01-10T21:38-0500 | Comment by: Dean
Another idiot assho in a big Democrat city ,go figure
2026-01-11T18:05-0500 | Comment by: Robert
The Sheriff, wouldn't make a pimple on a real Law Enforcement Officer's Ass. B.L.M. = REAL "BLUE LIVES MATTER".
2026-01-11T18:09-0500 | Comment by: Robert
The Sheriff, wouldn't make a pimple on a real Law Enforcement Officer's Ass. B.L.M. = REAL "BLUE LIVES MATTER".
2026-01-13T15:17-0500 | Comment by: Rick
Obviously the result of affirmative action. Another unqualified idiot given a position not earned and unable to perform the duties of their office.
2026-01-30T10:23-0500 | Comment by: Laurence
Who is this unpatriotic idiot? Another incompetent DEI hire? She thinks she can arrest Federal officers? If she tries that, she should be arrested and removed from office.