Shapiro responds to anti-ICE protesters outside Philly library event Saturday
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro responded to anti-ICE protesters who rallied outside a book event outside the Free Library of Philadelphia’s main branch on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
The protest occurred on the same day as a Minneapolis man getting shot and killed by federal immigration enforcement agents, which is causing protests nationwide.
The Philly protesters specifically called on Shapiro to stop giving “ICE full access to state databases with facial recognition data without judicial warrants,” as well cooperation among the department of corrections and ICE, among several other demands.
“Our state police does not ask people their status, and we do not share any of that with the federal government,” Shapiro said at the event, which was for his new book, “Where We Keep the Light.”
In a statement to NBC10, Shapiro’s spokesperson Will Simon, also said, in part, “Outside agencies do not have unfettered access to state databases. As it has for years, PSP may share information with federal, local, and other state law enforcement agencies when necessary during the course of a criminal investigation. There are legitimate investigations that involve foreign nationals who have committed crimes in PA or elsewhere that would require immigration enforcement agencies to seek access to information contained in Commonwealth-run databases.”
Additionally, Shapiro’s administration does not allow Pennsylvania State Police from conducting immigration enforcement or serving immigration warrants from the federal government, and does not lease any facilities to ICE or the Department of Homeland Security, the spokesperson said.
“Governor Shapiro has made clear that everyone is welcome in Pennsylvania, no matter who you are, what you look like, who you love, or who you pray to,” Simon said. “He will continue to stand with Pennsylvania’s immigrant communities.”
