Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is blocking city law enforcement from working with federal immigration agents, paving the way for the city to return to its role as a sanctuary city.

Philly.com reports the newly elected mayor had promised constituents he would rescind his predecessor's 11th-hour immigration order on his first day in office.

"The only way that people buy into [Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)] is when they . . . have input into the process," he said during a signing ceremony, where immigrant rights activists wildly applauded.

Kenney also indicated he has talked with U.S Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson about the reinstitution of ICE's "Priority Enforcement" campaign. Immigrant groups have long expressed a preference for that program over "Secure Communities," which many feel is too harsh in the way its policies are administered.

Plans now call for Johnson to send ICE representatives to Philadelphia, where they will brief immigration stakeholders on the new platform while assuring them it does not hold all the pitfall of Secure Communities.

"But until that happens we are going back to our old situation," Kenny said.

That system, in place since April 2014 and last month, barred police and prison officials from alerting ICE agents about undocumented prisoner's pending release unless the person was convicted of a violent felony and ICE's request was supported by a warrant.

Local immigration rights group Juntos raved the Mayor's stance and executive position "reaffirmed" Philadelphia's place as the City of Brotherly Love.

"We are thrilled," New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia spokesperson Nicole Kligerman told Philly.com. "By ending the unjust collaboration between ICE and city officials, he recognizes the significant contributions immigrants make to Philadelphia."

Sanctuary cities, where undocumented immigrants are largely sheltered from deportation, have been lightning rods in Congress and the Republican presidential primary campaigns. Leading GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed if elected he will move to deport some 11 million immigrants in less than two years.