In a striking but not altogether surprising move, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) has repealed an executive order that once directed local law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The repeal, framed as a resource issue, is in fact a clear and deliberate retreat from immigration enforcement — and a signal that, under Spanberger, Virginia is moving closer to de facto sanctuary state status.
At the heart of this reversal is Executive Order 47, signed by former Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) in 2025. Youngkin’s order had directed Virginia’s State Police and Department of Corrections to enter into Section 287(g) agreements with ICE — a federal program that enables trained local and state law enforcement officials to help identify and detain illegal aliens. It also encouraged local jails to certify their cooperation with ICE in identifying and turning over criminal aliens.
Virginia Democrats introduce bill mandating – beginning in 2028-2029 school year – EVERY Virginia student in grades six through 12 receive an annual mental health screening… unless parents opt-out pic.twitter.com/hGSxR48pSa
— NOVA Campaigns (@NoVA_Campaigns) January 19, 2026
Youngkin’s approach was clear: if someone was arrested and found to be in the country illegally, especially if they posed a threat or had a criminal record, Virginia law enforcement would cooperate with federal immigration authorities to ensure removal.
Spanberger’s rationale for dismantling this framework is equally clear: she views immigration enforcement as a federal-only issue, and believes state and local resources should not be “diverted” to assist with civil immigration law. In her words, “The idea that we would take local police officers or local sheriff’s deputies… so that they can go and tear families apart… that is a misuse of those resources.”
Let’s parse that.
All of those centrist Republicans that voted for her, it’s on you. I read your comments on line about civility and return to normalcy etc. Looks like I fled NOVA with my family just in time. That hornets nest around DC is bright blue now. Zero coming back. https://t.co/13hF2KKTQr
— Teufel Hunden (@tqrmr5bcjn) January 20, 2026
First, the notion that cooperating with ICE means “tearing families apart” is a partisan talking point, not a serious law enforcement assessment. The individuals affected by these agreements aren’t being targeted for attending PTA meetings — they are typically flagged after being arrested or convicted of a crime. Cooperation with ICE ensures that those already in custody and found to be in the country illegally are referred for removal, often for public safety reasons.
Second, the idea that 287(g) agreements are a burden ignores their strategic purpose. These agreements do not demand that local officers act as border patrol agents. Instead, they allow trained personnel — often working inside jails — to check immigration status and communicate with ICE, precisely when and where it makes sense. It’s not about diverting traffic cops to immigration sweeps. It’s about closing the loop when a criminal alien ends up in custody.
BREAKING: Abigail Spanberger’s first act as Governor of Virginia is to repeal Glenn Youngkin’s executive order that mandated state and local law enforcement cooperate with immigration enforcement.
Elections have consequences. pic.twitter.com/RieZ6ToQWx
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 17, 2026
Third, and perhaps most troubling, is the broader implication of Spanberger’s order: that Virginia will no longer cooperate with immigration enforcement, even when it involves serious criminal offenders. This isn’t just a change in priorities — it’s a shift in allegiance. And it’s Virginians who will pay the price, as law enforcement agencies are left hamstrung and federal officers are forced to operate without state-level coordination.
To be clear, Spanberger isn’t wrong to say the immigration system is broken — it is. But refusing to enforce existing law doesn’t fix the system. It simply undermines it.
