Governor Spanberger Eliminates Rule Mandating Police Cooperation with ICE

Virginia Governor Rescinds ICE Cooperation Order

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has reversed an executive order that called for local law enforcement to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “This executive order rescinds Executive Order 47. State and local law enforcement agencies shouldn’t have to divert their limited resources to enforcing federal civil immigration laws,” Spanberger stated. She emphasized that this responsibility belongs to federal law enforcement, allowing Virginia’s officers to concentrate on their primary duties of crime investigation and community policing.

Back in February 2025, former Governor Glenn Youngkin had instigated a similar order that mandated Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections to engage with ICE under Section 287(g). This agreement was designed to “link local arrests with ICE” and foster collaboration between local prison authorities and the federal agency.

Neil Munro from Breitbart reported that Youngkin had signed directives instructing local law enforcement to fully cooperate with ICE and a state task force aimed at immigration enforcement.

Spanberger’s new order not only abolishes Youngkin’s previous directive but also reaffirms that state and local law enforcement should center their efforts on addressing criminal activity, managing prisons, and being present in their communities. She noted that since 2025, Virginia has faced a shortage of essential public safety resources due to the demands from Executive Order 47, which required law enforcement to focus on federal immigration laws.

In a discussion with the Virginia Mercury ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election, Spanberger mentioned that if victorious, she plans to dismiss Youngkin’s order related to ICE cooperation. While acknowledging the immigration system’s faults, she criticized the notion of pulling local officers from their vital roles to assist ICE. “It feels like a misuse of their resources,” she remarked, highlighting the potential impact on families and local crime-solving efforts.