Spanberger Orders Virginia State Police to End ICE Cooperation, Reversing Youngkin Policy
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger confirmed she is ending all 287(g) agreements between state law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a significant shift in how the Commonwealth engages with federal immigration enforcement that could reshape policing priorities.
The move heightens tensions in Virginia’s political landscape, with Republicans warning it weakens public safety while Democrats and immigrant advocates argue it will build community trust.
Spanberger’s office said she issued an executive directive Feb. 4, directing the Virginia State Police, Department of Corrections, Conservation Police and Marine Police to terminate all 287(g) agreements with ICE. These agreements had allowed state officers to operate under federal direction for civil immigration enforcement.
The governor’s action goes beyond rescinding former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s 2025 order that mandated cooperation — it actively dissolves the contracts that bound officers to federal supervision.
Spanberger said, “These agreements improperly ceded discretion and authority over Virginia law enforcement to federal authorities.”
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Supporters say ending the agreements refocuses officers on investigating state crimes and enhances trust in immigrant communities. Critics contend it could hamper removal of dangerous criminals and complicate federal partnerships.
Spanberger stressed cooperation will continue when judicial warrants are present, differentiating immigration policy from broader law enforcement collaboration.
The move puts Virginia alongside other states resisting federal 287(g) expansion, in a broader national debate over local involvement in immigration enforcement.
Lawmakers and law enforcement groups are expected to weigh in as implementation begins. The governor’s office said the directive takes effect immediately.
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