Governor Spanberger Ends Virginia State Police Cooperation With ICE

Governor Abigail Spanberger issued an executive directive on February 4, 2026, requiring several state law enforcement agencies to terminate their 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The order affects the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Virginia Conservation Police, and the Virginia Marine Police. This action rescinds Executive Order No. 47, established by former Governor Glenn Youngkin, and follows a previous day-one order from Spanberger on January 17 that removed mandates for such cooperation.

Under the terminated agreements, state officers were permitted to conduct federal immigration enforcement under Department of Homeland Security supervision, including transferring prisoners to ICE upon release from state facilities. Spanberger stated that diverting state resources to federal civil immigration enforcement erodes community trust and distracts officers from their core responsibilities. She directed agencies to review training to avoid fear-based policing, though she noted that cooperation remains permitted under judicial warrants.

The decision drew sharp criticism from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Republican leaders, including Congressman Morgan Griffith and House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore. Critics argued the move effectively turns Virginia into a sanctuary jurisdiction and weakens public safety by hindering the removal of dangerous criminals. Conversely, Democratic Senator Mark Warner supported the directive, asserting that community trust is essential for local police to perform their duties safely.