Committee on Public Health and Human Services 06-1-26

The Philadelphia City Council's Committee on Public Health and Human Services held a public hearing on June 1, 2026, to discuss Bill 260303, which proposes amending the Philadelphia code to establish clear procedures for U visa and T visa certifications. These visas provide immigration protections for survivors of serious crimes and human trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement. The bill aims to create standardized timelines, confidentiality protections, and written explanations for certification requests across certifying agencies including the Philadelphia Police Department, District Attorney's Office, and Department of Human Services. Testimonies from law enforcement officials, legal advocates, and community organizations highlighted the importance of timely and consistent certification processes to support immigrant survivors, improve public safety, and reduce barriers to accessing federal protections. The hearing emphasized the need for clear protocols to prevent delays and denials based on factors not aligned with federal law, thereby fostering trust between immigrant communities and local agencies. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were discussed during the meeting.