Agencies under Governor Josh Shapiro's control cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in some areas and refuse cooperation in others, a Spotlight PA investigation has found.

The review, published by the Pennsylvania-based newsroom Spotlight PA, examines which state executive-branch agencies share information, personnel, or facilities with federal immigration authorities — and which do not. Governor Shapiro, a Democrat, controls the state executive branch, and his administration's posture toward ICE determines how state employees, state records, and state institutions interact with federal immigration enforcement.

What does the investigation cover?

Spotlight PA's reporting maps the boundaries of cooperation between Pennsylvania state government and ICE. The story distinguishes between:

• Areas where agencies under the Governor's control do cooperate with ICE;
• Areas where those agencies do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The investigation identifies the specific state bodies involved and the practical effect of their policies on immigration enforcement within Pennsylvania.

Who is affected?

The findings matter for several groups:

• Noncitizens living in Pennsylvania, whose encounters with state agencies may or may not trigger federal immigration action;
• State employees, who operate under directives set by the Shapiro administration;
• Federal ICE officers, who depend on state-level cooperation for enforcement in many situations.

Why does the Governor's role matter?

Unlike municipal "sanctuary" policies, which city councils set, state executive-branch policy flows from the Governor's office. Spotlight PA's review shows where Governor Shapiro has drawn the line: his administration permits some forms of assistance to ICE and blocks others.

The full findings, including the specific agencies and practices examined, appear in Spotlight PA's report.

The takeaway: cooperation between Pennsylvania's state government and ICE is partial by design, set at the discretion of the Shapiro administration.