Sanctuary under siege | Morning Newsletter
📍 And debating neighborhood names.
The Morning Newsletter
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Morning, Philly.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been freed to make arrests at churches and other “sensitive locations.” In President Donald Trump’s first administration, more undocumented immigrants took sanctuary in Philadelphia than anywhere else.
And in a city of neighborhoods, not all names are created equally. Take our poll to see whether you disagree with other Philadelphians about what a dozen areas are called.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Trump’s sweeping executive actions on immigration includes a reversal on “sensitive locations,” allowing ICE agents to act not just at churches, but at schools, hospitals, colleges, funerals, and rallies.
In Philadelphia, which is home to about 47,000 undocumented immigrants, holy spaces in Germantown, University City, and North Philadelphia sheltered more than a dozen people during the first Trump administration. Most were mothers and children who believed they could be killed if sent back to their homelands.
Activists have pledged fresh resistance against the new federal orders. Immigration reporter Jeff Gammage has the latest details on local efforts.
Philly officials respond: During City Council’s first “Trump preparedness hearing” Wednesday, a lawyer from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration said an executive order on Philly’s status as a sanctuary city remains. District Attorney Larry Krasner also said his office would not comply with any immigration orders from the Trump administration that might cause his staff to break the law.
Meanwhile: The city Office of Immigrant Affairs’ director has resigned.
What you should know today
After City Council spent much of last year debating legislation for a since-rescinded Sixers arena in Center City, lawmakers are ready to discuss anything else, from taxes to Trump. Plus, Council is considering fewer bills than it has in years — but does that matter?
SEPTA has cut $27 million in expenses as it drafts a new operating budget and hopes to wring state dollars from the legislature.
The Philadelphia School District wants high school students who failed their state algebra tests to retake them in an attempt to pass. It’s offering a cash incentive for those who do.
St. Joseph’s University is attempting to sell its entire University City campus, acquired when it merged with University of the Sciences in 2022.
A “butt lift” from an illicit Philly med spa sent a woman to the hospital with a raging infection. Now, she hopes her story can protect others.
Crozer Health has started using emergency ambulances to shuttle nonemergency patients, leaving some Delaware County towns short on service.
The Montgomery County DA has charged a Philadelphia business with selling forged Jason Kelce-signed memorabilia valued at $200,000.
Nine local chefs and six food establishments have made the list of semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards.
Philly neighborhood names originate from a range of sources, including residents, historians, cartographers, and preservationists. Monikers displayed on Google Maps — and especially those assigned by real estate developers — might not be what the people who actually live there use.
📍 Take Newbold as an example.
📍 You might know the area between Washington and Passyunk Avenues and Broad and 18th Streets as Point Breeze. Or East Point Breeze. Or simply South Philly.
How does your pick compare to what your fellow Philadelphians say? Our interactive story is part-survey, part-explainer on how a dozen dubious names came to be.
🧠 Trivia time
The city has reported its first case of the highly infectious avian flu amid a national outbreak. Where was the sick snow goose found?
A) Carroll Park
B) Mayfair
C) Pennsport
D) Point Breeze
Think you know? Check your answer.
What (and who) we’re...
🏀 Admiring: Bucknell University’s Pat Behan, who coaches through ALS.
🎥 Watching: Brave the Dark, about a Lancaster teen and the teacher who changed his life.
🍪 Buying: All the Girl Scout Cookies.
❄️ Probably not buying: A pint of snow from the Eagles’ win on Sunday.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia
CHOSE FAX
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Anya Silverman, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Mount Airy. The foodie neighborhood is home to Philly’s latest hit bakery, Downtime, as well as Zsa’s Ice Cream — but only for one more year.
Photo of the day
⛸️ One last icy thing: A small, elite group of local skaters will be competing at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which run through Sunday in Kansas and will be streamed on Peacock.
Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Back at it tomorrow.
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