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JUST IN; 40 MINS AGO Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger just issued an executive order shutting down state police cooperation with Trump’s ICE immediately after taking office
JUST IN; 40 MINS AGO Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger just issued an executive order shutting down state police cooperation with Trump’s ICE immediately after taking office.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger Rescinds State Cooperation with ICE on First Day in Office
RICHMOND, Va. — On her first day as governor, Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order undoing a key immigration enforcement directive from her predecessor that had tied Virginia law enforcement to federal immigration operations.
The order rescinds former Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 47, which had directed the Virginia State Police and other state law enforcement agencies to enter into Section 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Those agreements deputized state officers to assist with certain federal immigration enforcement tasks.
Spanberger, Virginia’s first female governor sworn in on January 17, said state and local law enforcement should focus on “core responsibilities” like community policing and criminal investigation rather than enforcing federal civil immigration laws. Her action effectively ends Virginia’s formal participation in the 287(g) program for now.
Advocates for immigrant rights quickly welcomed the move, describing it as a step toward building trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Critics, particularly some Republicans, have argued that pulling back from cooperation with ICE might weaken public safety, especially amid a broader national debate over immigration enforcement.
The new governor’s executive orders also include directives aimed at affordability and education policy, reflecting broader priorities she campaigned on in last year’s election.
