As Virginia Works to Rebuild Trust in Policing, Reps. Ben Cline (R-VA06) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA02) Push to Hand Authority to ICE

by Bridge2Blue

For months, Americans have looked on in alarm as ICE agents have harassed and detained law abiding neighbors — and, in some cases, used deadly force.  Yet Virginia’s Republican members of Congress are now trying to give ICE the power to force state law enforcement to adopt their cruel and unlawful tactics.

A poll by the respected Marist Institute found that about  two-thirds of Americans say ICE’s enforcement actions have gone too far, and more than six in ten believe the agency is reducing public safety. Overall, ICE scores low marks, with six in ten Americans reporting they disapprove of the job it is doing.

Here in Virginia, Gov. Abigail Spanberger has wisely curtailed ICE’s ability to command our state law enforcement. Her recent Executive Order 12 directs state agencies to review policies, training, and practices to ensure they align with standards that protect human life and to “not engage in fear-based policing, enforcement theater, or actions that create barriers to people seeking assistance in their time of need.”

Gov. Spanberger emphasized that the order does not prohibit all cooperation with federal immigration authorities. State agencies may still work with federal partners when there is a judicial warrant or as part of a joint task force.

But Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02) and Ben Cline (R-VA06) are still pushing to reinstate previous rules under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, which required state and local law enforcement to take orders from ICE.

Cline, with Kiggans as a co-sponsor, has gone so far as to propose a bill that would require local and state agencies to partner with ICE to receive Community Oriented Policing Services grants. In other words, they want to use congressionally appropriated funds to coerce state authorities into working with ICE.

Kiggans and Cline seem blind to the fact that most Americans reject ICE’s tactics.  They also are blatantly ignoring Gov. Spanberger’s pledge that Virginia’s state officers are not prohibited from working with federal partners but must do so legally.

Instead, Cline and Kiggans appear more interested in manifesting their fealty to Donald Trump than protecting Virginians from fear-based federal policing. It’s time to vote them out and elect representatives who agree with Gov. Spanberger that public trust is a prerequisite for effective policing.