Very interesting (and important, necessary, etc.) from Gov. Abigail Spanberger:
Governor Spanberger Establishes Principles for Virginia Law Enforcement, Signs Executive Order & Directive
Governor Spanberger: “My Administration Stands with Virginia’s Law Enforcement Officers” […] “Constitutional, Professional Policing Enhances Officer Safety, Public Trust, and Community Cooperation”
Virginia Law Enforcement No Longer Under Federal ICE Control
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger — a former federal law enforcement officer — today issued an executive order establishing state law enforcement policy based on “principles and policies that have long served as the north star for Virginia law enforcement.”
Law enforcement exists to preserve human life, protect people who are vulnerable, and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia.
Public trust is a prerequisite to effective policing and should be fostered through professionalism, transparency, accountability, and consistent engagement.
Virginia law enforcement does not engage in fear-based policing, enforcement theater, or actions that create barriers to people seeking assistance in their time of need.
Virginia law enforcement efforts focus on upholding the rule of law, investigating and stopping criminal conduct, and protecting public safety, not the administrative enforcement of civil status.
Investment in training, recruitment, and retention of top-tier public safety professionals ensures that Virginia law enforcement is supported by clear standards and sound training necessary to serve safely and effectively with the public’s trust.
Collaborative partnerships among local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement, residents, educators, faith and civic leaders, businesses, and local governments are essential for safe communities, a strong economy, and positive educational outcomes.
Governor Spanberger’s executive order directs state law enforcement agencies to review all policies, training, and practices to confirm alignment with these standards. The Governor made the announcement today at a conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police in Henrico County.
“As a former federal law enforcement officer and the daughter of a career law enforcement officer, I know that effective policing is built on trust. Like so many of Virginia’s law enforcement officers, I have serious concerns that chaotic federal law enforcement actions across the country are eroding years of trust built by our officers within the communities they serve,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “When state and local law enforcement are pulled away from investigating crimes and upholding our Virginia laws to do the job of federal agents, it weakens their ability to deepen trust within their communities. This contributes to a culture of fear and distrust that makes it harder for officers to do their jobs.”
Governor Spanberger continued, “Today, Virginia is taking important steps to both reaffirm the core responsibilities of our officers and help build public trust in Virginians who wear the badge.”
Click here to read the full text of Governor Spanberger’s executive order.
Through an additional executive directive, Governor Spanberger today directed Virginia’s state law enforcement agencies and divisions — Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Conservation Police, and Virginia Marine Police — to terminate all existing 287(g) agreements with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). These agreements placed Virginia law enforcement officers under federal control and supervision to conduct civil immigration enforcement.
Governor Spanberger said her administration has been closely reviewing agreements state law enforcement agencies were required to sign in 2025. These agreements forced Virginia law enforcement agencies to hand over their men and women to be supervised by ICE.
Click here to read the full text of Governor Spanberger’s executive directive and read an excerpt below.
“At my direction, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources engaged with stakeholders to identify and understand agreements previously entered into under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These Agreements improperly ceded discretion and authority over Virginia law enforcement to federal authorities. I have full confidence that Virginia law enforcement agents are keeping Virginia safer when exercising their authority under Virginia law. Virginia always remains ready to enforce the law, and Virginia law enforcement will continue to exercise available authority under a valid judicial warrant.”
BACKGROUND
On her first day as Governor, Governor Spanberger rescinded Executive Order 47 (2025), which forced state law enforcement — and encouraged local police departments and sheriff’s offices — to deputize their officers to act as ICE agents. Governor Spanberger removed the directive that Virginia law enforcement agencies divert focus from their core responsibilities — investigating crimes, enforcing state and local laws, and keeping Virginians safe.
###
*******************
Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi Backs Spanberger’s Executive Order Refocusing Law Enforcement on Community Safety
RICHMOND, VA — Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi released the following statement in support of Governor Spanberger’s Executive Order No. 12, rescinding prior Section 287(g) agreements that directed cooperation of Virginia State Police and the Commonwealth’s agencies with federal immigration authorities:
“This action restores clarity and accountability to the role of state and local law enforcement and ensures their focus remains on public safety, justice, and community trust. Keeping Virginia safe means allowing law enforcement to focus on protecting communities and families.
“By ending agreements that cede discretion to the federal government, this directive reaffirms Virginia’s constitutional values and the integrity of our public safety institutions. I fully support this decisive step by Governor Spanberger’s Administration to ensure our agencies operate justly, lawfully, and in service of all Virginians.”
###
We Are CASA Celebrates Gov. Spanberger’s Action to End Virginia’s ICE Program
RICHMOND, VA – We Are CASA Virginia Director Luis Aguilar issued the following statement in response to Governor Abigail Spanberger’s executive action rescinding the previous administration’s Executive Order 47, which mandated state-level law enforcement cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program:
“Today marks a historic victory for immigrant families and for constitutional policing in Virginia. For years, We Are CASA has stood alongside immigrant communities demanding an end to policies that forced Virginia’s law enforcement officers to serve as federal deportation agents. Governor Spanberger heard us, and she has acted decisively, calling such programs ‘fear-based policing’ and ‘enforcement theater.’
“The human cost has been devastating. Immigrant families—including those with no criminal history—have been targeted, separated, and driven into the shadows. Victims of domestic violence, wage theft, and other crimes have been afraid to call police for help. Children have lost parents. Communities have lost trust. Today, we are so proud to see Virginia join a growing number of states that are beginning to heal from that damage.
“Trough this action, Governor Spanberger is showing us she understands what effective policing requires: public trust. As she stated, ‘a culture of fear and distrust makes it harder for officers to do their jobs.’ By ending state 287(g) participation, Virginia’s law enforcement can return to their core mission, upholding Virginia law and keeping all Virginians safe.While local agreements remain, the Governor has set an unmistakable precedent. We Are CASA will continue fighting to build on this victory to pass the Virginia Trust Agenda to ensure every corner of the Commonwealth reflects the values she affirmed today: that public safety depends on trust, not terror.
“Today, we think of Elder Romero, Liliana Cruz Mendez, Josue Castro Rivera, and the many other Virginia families torn apart by ICE. We also think of Renee Good and Alex Pretti—killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. This is life and death. We thank Governor Spanberger for understanding the stakes and acting accordingly.”
**************
Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights Applauds Governor Spanberger for Ending Agreements Between ICE and Virginia Law Enforcement
Richmond, VA—In a move celebrated by immigrant communities and advocacy groups across the Commonwealth, Governor Abigail Spanberger has ended agreements between ICE and the four Virginia state law enforcement agencies, the Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Conservation Police, and Virginia Marine Police. This means that state law enforcement will no longer be forcibly deputized into conducting immigration enforcement for the federal government, and can again prioritize public safety and community trust.
“Governor Spanberger’s decision to end cooperation agreements is a powerful step toward restoring basic constitutional protections and rebuilding trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement across Virginia,” said Monica Sarmiento, Executive Director of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights (VACIR). “These agreements have deputized state agencies into carrying out a federal detention and deportation agenda that relies on fear, racial profiling, and warrantless enforcement, undermining public safety for everyone. By ending statewide cooperation with ICE, the Governor is affirming that our state resources should be used to keep communities safe, not to tear families apart and funnel people into a system that has repeatedly violated civil and human rights. Immigrants are essential to Virginia’s economy and civic life, and today’s action sends a clear message that our communities deserve dignity, safety, and equal protection under the law.”
