In 27 counties across Virginia, local officials are permitted to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, despite efforts from Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger to cut ties with the agency. This revelation comes from documents that indicate two county jails and 25 sheriff’s offices have signed contracts with ICE, originally under President Trump, which span from February 2025 to December 2025. Although Spanberger rescinded a previous executive order from former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin that encouraged such agreements, it hasn’t prevented these local jurisdictions from collaborating with federal agents to identify, detain, and deport undocumented immigrants.
The Spanberger administration holds sway over Virginia’s executive branch and both legislative bodies, but her office did not respond to inquiries regarding the situation. On the campaign trail, she has advocated for immigration officials to present arrest warrants when seeking local law enforcement assistance, though she asserts this won’t transform Virginia into a “sanctuary” state for undocumented individuals.
Spanberger has also expressed opposition to stringent immigration bills, such as Trump’s Laken Riley Act, which demands federal detention for undocumented immigrants charged with various crimes. Furthermore, she has shown support for legislation aimed at providing amnesty to undocumented farm workers.
Youngkin’s now-overturned order had instructed state law enforcement bodies to engage in cooperative agreements with ICE, facilitating sheriffs and jail officials to participate in these measures. Some counties, like Fairfax and Alexandria, engaged in such memorandums, albeit with varying levels of cooperation.
The signed agreements empower sheriff’s offices to inquire about immigrants’ legal status, detain individuals without warrants for illegal entry, and transfer them to ICE facilities. They can also assist with related immigration processes such as preparation of arrest warrants and fingerprinting.
In specific counties like Loudoun and Alleghany, the agreements provided a more limited scope of authority, focusing mainly on executing immigration warrants within their local facilities. However, the Spanberger administration can only revoke state-level contracts that allow various Virginia state agencies, including the State Police and the Department of Corrections, to assist ICE.
In her initial executive order reversing Youngkin’s policy, Spanberger criticized its approach as an inefficient use of public resources. She emphasized that the safety of Virginia residents requires local law enforcement to prioritize their primary duties, while federal authorities should handle immigration laws. Furthermore, she believes that effective public safety necessitates collaboration on criminal matters between local and federal agencies.
