Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has sparked significant controversy following remarks made during an “ICE OUT” press conference on October 10, 2023. Krasner compared the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to historical Nazi hunts, stating, “If we have to hunt you down the way they hunted down Nazis for decades, we will find your identities, we will find you, we will achieve justice.” This marks the second occasion in less than a month that Krasner has drawn parallels between ICE and Nazis.
Krasner’s comments came as part of a broader discussion on accountability for federal law enforcement officials. He emphasized that the community outnumbers ICE officers and reiterated the importance of adhering to constitutional rights. “There will be accountability now, there will be accountability in the future,” he stated, referencing a commitment to justice that extends beyond the current federal administration.
The remarks have not gone unnoticed by federal officials. Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responded strongly to Krasner’s statements. She condemned the rhetoric as “abhorrent” and emphasized that ICE officers are simply enforcing the law. “The violence and dehumanization of these men and women must stop,” she remarked, highlighting the potential dangers of such inflammatory language.
The backlash from Krasner’s comments extends beyond federal officials. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a fellow Democrat, also criticized the language used by the District Attorney. “That kind of rhetoric is unacceptable, it is abhorrent, and it is wrong. Period. Hard stop. End of sentence,” Shapiro asserted. He advocated for a reduction in heated rhetoric, suggesting that calm is essential for community relations.
Krasner’s remarks come at a time when tensions regarding immigration enforcement are particularly high in the United States. Advocates for immigration reform and those concerned about the treatment of undocumented immigrants have increasingly called for a reevaluation of ICE’s role.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies and the balance between enforcement and civil rights. The comments made by Krasner have ignited discussions within political and community circles about the appropriateness of comparing modern law enforcement to historical atrocities.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these comments will influence both public opinion and policy regarding immigration enforcement in Philadelphia and beyond. The responses from various officials suggest that the discourse surrounding ICE and similar agencies will continue to be contentious in the coming months.
