By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – First-term Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has ordered Virginia’s state law enforcement agencies to end any remaining agreements that allow state officers to take part in federal civil immigration enforcement.
The directive, issued Wednesday, requires state agencies to withdraw from all Section 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Those agreements allow state and local officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions under federal supervision.
The order applies to the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Virginia Conservation Police and the Virginia Marine Police.
The move follows Spanberger’s decision on her first day in office to rescind a previous executive order that had required state participation in the 287(g) program. At the time, state and local officials said that action removed the mandate but did not automatically cancel agreements already in place.
This new directive goes further. It tells state agencies to formally terminate any existing 287(g) agreements and report back within five business days confirming they have done so.
House Republican Leader Terry Kilgore said the directive weakens public safety and cuts off cooperation with federal immigration authorities, adding, “Just days ago, Democrats insisted the governor’s order didn’t do anything. Today, Governor Spanberger ended all of Virginia’s 287(g) agreements with ICE. This decision weakens public safety and cuts off cooperation that helped law enforcement remove dangerous criminals from our communities. Virginians deserve honesty, not spin.”
Spanberger said the goal is to keep Virginia law enforcement focused on investigating crimes and protecting public safety, rather than carrying out federal civil immigration enforcement.
The governor also issued a separate executive order outlining statewide policing principles. That order emphasizes training, professionalism and public trust, and directs agencies to review their policies to make sure they align with constitutional standards.
Spanberger said trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve is essential to public safety and officer safety, and can be damaged when officers are pulled away from their core responsibilities.
The directive does not apply to local sheriffs’ offices, which are not under the governor’s authority. It also does not affect cooperation with federal law enforcement when a valid judicial warrant is involved, or participation in joint task forces unrelated to 287(g).
Spanberger said the change is meant to clarify the role of Virginia law enforcement and draw a clear line between state policing and federal civil immigration enforcement.