Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger Repeals ICE Cooperation Order on First Day in Office
Richmond, Va. — Jan. 17, 2026
Newly sworn-in Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger moved quickly to reverse her predecessor’s immigration policy, signing an executive order on her first day in office that ends mandatory state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Minutes after taking the oath at the Virginia State Capitol, Spanberger signed Executive Order No. 10, formally rescinding a 2025 directive issued by former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Youngkin’s order had required and encouraged Virginia state police, corrections officers, and local law enforcement agencies to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in enforcing federal civil immigration laws, including cooperation in detentions and deportations.
Spanberger said the repeal reflects her position that federal immigration law should be enforced by federal authorities, not state or local police, and that Virginia law enforcement resources should remain focused on public safety within local communities.
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The repeal ends mandatory state participation in civil immigration enforcement but does not prohibit law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities in criminal cases on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to the ICE-related order, Spanberger signed nine other executive actions addressing healthcare affordability, housing supply, public education funding, economic protections, and equal opportunity policies.
Spanberger, Virginia’s 75th governor and the first woman elected to the office, was sworn in during a ceremony in Richmond that included a public parade highlighting community groups from across the state.
Her swift action underscores a clear policy shift from the previous administration and fulfills a key campaign promise to limit Virginia’s role in federal immigration enforcement.
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