During a traffic stop, the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) impounds and tows a vehicle if the driver lacks a current license or registration, which may only be recovered after paying substantial towing and storage fees. Live Stop disproportionately targets immigrant communities because many remain ineligible for Pennsylvania licenses because of immigration status. It also disproportionately impacts low-income individuals who cannot afford to pay the fees to recover their vehicle.
In conjunction with the New Sanctuary Movement, our project focuses on providing critical research, investigation, and analysis about the Live Stop policy, including an examination of the impact of the law and a comparative analysis of other jurisdictions. Our report on Live Stop is available in English and Spanish.