Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has taken further steps to distance Virginia law enforcement from federal immigration enforcement. On Wednesday, she announced an executive directive that ends agreements between state law enforcement agencies and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE).
The move builds on her day-one executive order that rescinded former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 47, which had required law enforcement to enter into agreements with ICE. Those agreements put Virginia law enforcement officers under federal control and supervision to conduct civil immigration enforcement.
Wednesday’s Executive Directive 1 directs all Virginia law enforcement agencies to terminate these agreements with ICE. This includes the Virginia State Police, the Department of Corrections, the Conservation Police, and the Marine Police.
Spanberger said those agreements made law enforcement agents “divert focus from their core responsibilities — investigating crimes, enforcing state and local laws, and keeping Virginians safe.”
“I have full confidence that Virginia law enforcement agents are keeping Virginia safer when exercising their authority under Virginia law,” Spanberger said in the directive.
Spanberger also issued an executive order outlining principles and policies for Virginia law enforcement, focusing on values like public trust and avoiding fear-based policing.
Feature image courtesy ICE
