Federal Judge Blocks Virginia Law Restricting ICE Cooperation
U.S. District Judge Robert Payne issued an injunction preventing the Commonwealth of Virginia from terminating existing immigration enforcement agreements between local police and federal authorities.
Senior U.S. District Court Judge Robert Payne issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Commonwealth of Virginia from enforcing key provisions of a new law that restricts cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The law, comprising Senate Bill 783 and House Bill 1441, took effect July 1 and sought to ban state and local agencies from entering new 287(g) agreements while requiring the termination of existing contracts by September 1.
Judge Payne ruled that the law likely violates the U.S. Constitution's Contract and Supremacy Clauses by substantially impairing existing agreements and improperly regulating federal law enforcement. While the injunction allows current partnerships to continue, the court maintained the state's authority to prevent localities that have never participated in the 287(g) program from entering new agreements.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced plans to appeal the decision and seek a stay, arguing the state has the legal authority to ensure local resources are not devoted to federal responsibilities. The legal battle follows a February directive from Governor Abigail Spanberger for state agencies to end their 287(g) agreements and coincides with increased federal activity, including a Department of Homeland Security operation in August that resulted in over 1,300 arrests across the region.
