Virginia Governor Candidate Vows to Change Immigration Policies
Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, has pledged to make the state a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants if she is elected.
In a recent interview with Virginia Mercury, Spanberger stated that she would repeal the executive order issued by current Governor Glenn Youngkin, which was enacted earlier this year. This order involves the Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections entering a partnership with federal immigration authorities.
As part of this directive, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security was tasked with reaching out to local prison officials to ensure they cooperated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During the interview, Spanberger commented on the issues within the U.S. immigration system, referring to it as “absolutely broken.” She believes that involving local law enforcement in immigration enforcement diverts their attention from pressing local issues, a point she feels misuses valuable resources.
She mentioned that relying on local police and sheriff’s deputies to enforce immigration law could disrupt families and detract from community policing efforts. Spanberger emphasized that local law enforcement should focus on actual crime investigations rather than immigration matters.
Spanberger also noted that, in cases of criminal violations, individuals should have the same protections as those facing immigration issues. “They need a warrant to pick someone up from the street,” she said, arguing that the same standards should apply across the board.
Without these protections, she believes partnerships with ICE could compromise community safety and strain budgets. Spanberger cited her experience with a previous immigration partnership in Prince William County, where significant resources were spent housing detainees.
Recent reports indicated that, by late July, ICE had detained approximately 4,179 immigrants in Virginia, while Youngkin’s task force had recorded about 3,564 arrests related to immigration enforcement.
Youngkin has responded by criticizing Spanberger’s stance, suggesting she would turn Virginia into a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants. He described her promises as catering to “dangerous illegal immigrants,” contrasting this with Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’s commitment to enhancing public safety.
Critics on social media have echoed Youngkin’s sentiments, with statements describing Spanberger’s proposals as dangerous and extreme. Various voices have pointed out the implications of her policies, expressing concerns over their potential impact on public safety.
