100+ Advocates Rally at Pennsylvania Capitol Over ICE Collaboration
More than 100 immigration advocates from 15 Pennsylvania counties rallied at the state Capitol on July 29, 2026, demanding Gov. Josh Shapiro close a youth detention center in Berks County and end the state’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They gave Shapiro a clear choice: act before November, or lose their votes.
The Berks County facility has drawn sustained criticism from immigrant rights groups who say it subjects young people to detention conditions that are harmful. Advocates are also pressing Shapiro to limit ICE detainers and block the agency’s access to state databases, including records held by PennDOT that could be used to locate and deport people.
“You want our vote, you earn our vote.”
Jasmine Rivera, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, July 29, 2026
The Shapiro administration said it is currently reviewing how ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies access state systems. Pennsylvania State Police officers are already barred from detaining individuals based on immigration status alone. But advocates say a review is not enough.
Advocates Say Shapiro’s November Re-Election Depends on Action
Shapiro is running for a second term against Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity. Several speakers at the rally said they would not deliver their support or fundraising to Shapiro if he fails to act, even if they would not vote for Garrity.
Miguel Andrade, communications director for the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, said he was speaking for himself as a formerly undocumented immigrant.
“I would not vote for Shapiro in this moment.”
Miguel Andrade, Communications Director, Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (personal view), July 29, 2026
Tammy Murphy of Make the Road PA put it plainly: politicians cannot avoid the immigration issue heading into this election. The message from organizers was that Democratic incumbents should not count on opposition to Republicans as a substitute for policy action.
Youth organizer Vincent Nguyen of the Woori Center said his generation is watching. “They’re voting for the person,” he told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, adding that partial agreement on some issues is no longer enough to guarantee support.
What you can do now
-
Call Gov. Shapiro’s office at (717) 787-2500 and tell his staff you want him to close the Berks County youth detention center and issue a directive blocking ICE access to PennDOT and other state databases. The November election makes this the highest-use moment for constituent pressure.
-
Contact your Pennsylvania state legislators via the PA General Assembly’s directory at legis.state.pa.us and ask them to introduce or support legislation restricting state agency collaboration with ICE detainers.
-
Attend or organize a local town hall with your state representative or senator. Bring a specific ask: a floor vote on limiting ICE access to state systems before the November election.
-
Connect with the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition at pimmcoalition.org to find upcoming actions, sign their open letter to Shapiro, and add your county’s voice to the 15 already represented at the July 29 rally.
Sources
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Shapiro Faces Calls to Close Youth Detention Center, End ICE Collaboration Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition: Statewide Advocacy and Campaigns Make the Road Pennsylvania: Immigrant Rights Organizing Pennsylvania General Assembly: Find Your Legislator