Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has repealed a key executive order that required state and local law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to immigration enforcement.
The decision nullifies Executive Order No. 47, signed by former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2025, which directed the Virginia State Police and Department of Corrections to enter into Section 287(g) agreements with ICE. These agreements empowered state law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities, particularly in identifying and detaining illegal aliens within Virginia.
Spanberger’s new order eliminates that directive. She stated that state and local law enforcement agencies should not be tasked with enforcing federal civil immigration laws, arguing that such responsibilities belong solely to federal authorities. According to the new order, redirecting local law enforcement to assist ICE drains resources from core public safety functions such as investigating crimes, staffing jails, and community engagement.
The order also cites the loss of critical public safety resources since 2025 due to Youngkin’s policy. Spanberger claimed the previous directive forced law enforcement to shift priorities away from community protection toward federal immigration enforcement, which she labeled an inefficient use of manpower.
Spanberger had previously pledged to rescind the policy during her campaign, calling it a misuse of local resources. She reiterated her view that the immigration system is broken but maintained that tearing families apart was not a duty for local sheriffs or police officers. In a campaign interview, she stated that local officers should not be pulled from vital responsibilities to enforce federal laws.
The repeal reflects the broader Democratic stance on reducing cooperation with ICE, even as border security and immigration remain top concerns for many Americans. The move effectively ends state-level participation in the federal 287(g) program within Virginia, returning enforcement duties solely to federal immigration authorities.
