By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger ordered state law enforcement agencies to terminate all 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending their participation in federal immigration enforcement partnerships.
• The directive applies to the Virginia State Police, Department of Corrections, Conservation Police and Marine Police.
• Spanberger said the move was intended to reinforce trust in local and state law enforcement and focus agencies on core public safety duties.
• Republican lawmakers criticized the decision, saying it could weaken public safety; supporters said it restores accountability.
RICHMOND, VA — Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday issued an executive directive terminating all 287(g) agreements between the state’s law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, officials said.
The directive requires the Virginia State Police, the Department of Corrections, the Conservation Police and the Marine Police to end existing agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act that deputized state officers to assist federal immigration enforcement.
Spanberger said the agreements improperly ceded authority to federal officials and that ending them would help build public trust in law enforcement while allowing state officers to focus on state and local duties.
The governor also signed an executive order outlining statewide policing principles that emphasize constitutional protections, training and community trust, directing agencies to align policies accordingly.
Republican lawmakers criticized the action as weakening public safety cooperation with federal partners, while supporters said the change restores accountability to state law enforcement.
The directive does not affect local law enforcement agencies that have independent 287(g) agreements unless those jurisdictions choose to terminate them.