Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Criticizes ICE Minneapolis Operations While Facing Scrutiny Over State Cooperation
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has issued a sharp rebuke of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis, calling for the immediate termination of the federal agency’s mission there following the fatal shootings of two residents. Shapiro described the events in Minnesota as “unacceptable” and a “violation of residents’ constitutional rights,” warning that similar escalations could threaten communities in Pennsylvania.
Despite his strong rhetoric against the federal agency’s actions in the Midwest, Shapiro faces mounting pressure from immigration advocates within his own state who point out that his administration continues to cooperate with ICE. The Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition and other advocacy groups have criticized the governor for not using his executive authority to fully sever ties between state agencies and federal immigration enforcers. Specifically, critics note that the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and State Police still facilitate certain forms of cooperation, including data sharing and honoring some detainer requests, which they argue contradicts his public condemnation of the agency.
Shapiro has defended his position by stating that his administration is “prepared on every level” to protect Pennsylvanians from federal overreach and has conducted tabletop exercises to plan for potential immigration raids. He recently declined to provide specific details on these preparations but emphasized that the state would not tolerate the kind of violence witnessed in Minneapolis. However, protesters recently rallied outside government offices in Philadelphia, demanding that Shapiro go beyond verbal condemnation and enact a complete ban on state collaboration with ICE to ensure the safety of Pennsylvania’s immigrant communities.
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