Virginia Governor Ends State's ICE Cooperation Agreements

Move prompts partisan debate over public safety and immigration enforcement

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:15am

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Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed executive orders terminating the state's participation in federal 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The decision reverses policies put in place by the previous administration and has drawn sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers who argue it will undermine public safety, while Democrats have praised the move as restoring trust in law enforcement.

Why it matters

The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement to assist federal immigration authorities, raising concerns about the role of local police in immigration enforcement and the potential impact on community trust in law enforcement. Spanberger's decision reflects a broader debate over the appropriate boundaries between federal, state, and local law enforcement responsibilities.

The details

Spanberger's Executive Directive One instructs all state agencies to terminate agreements with ICE that allow Virginia officers to work under federal supervision on immigration cases. She also signed Executive Order 12, emphasizing training, vetting and accountability for law enforcement. The 287(g) program had enabled certain local and state officers to interrogate immigrants in their custody and detain them for potential deportation.

  • On February 5, 2026, Governor Spanberger signed the executive orders ending Virginia's 287(g) agreements with ICE.
  • In February 2025, former Governor Glenn Youngkin had ordered state police to assist ICE in arresting and deporting criminal immigrants, a policy Spanberger revoked on her first day in office.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

The current Democratic Governor of Virginia who has ended the state's participation in federal immigration enforcement programs.

Glenn Youngkin

The former Republican Governor of Virginia who had ordered state police to assist ICE in immigration enforcement, a policy that has now been reversed.

Glen Sturtevant

A Republican state senator in Virginia who criticized Spanberger's decision as putting politics over public safety.

Terry Kilgore

The Republican House Minority Leader in Virginia who said Spanberger's decision weakens public safety and cuts off cooperation that helped remove dangerous criminals.

Ghazala Hashmi

The Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Virginia who praised Spanberger's action as restoring clarity and accountability to the role of state and local law enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“This is the governor unfortunately putting politics over public safety. Our federal law enforcement partners have worked well with our local and state police … to get criminal illegal aliens out of the Commonwealth. This is going to put more people at risk.”

— Glen Sturtevant, Republican State Senator

“We told you so. Just days ago, Democrats insisted the Governor's order didn't do anything. Today, Governor Spanberger ended all of Virginia's 287(g) agreements with ICE. This decision weakens public safety and cuts off cooperation that helped law enforcement remove dangerous criminals from our communities. Virginians deserve honesty, not spin.”

— Terry Kilgore, Republican House Minority Leader

“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. 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.”

— Ghazala Hashmi, Democratic Lieutenant Governor

What’s next

The judge overseeing the legal challenges to Governor Spanberger's executive orders is expected to rule on the matter within the next 30 days.

The takeaway

This decision reflects the ongoing debate over the appropriate role of state and local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement, with proponents arguing it is necessary for public safety and critics contending it undermines community trust in police. The outcome could have significant implications for how Virginia and other states approach this issue in the future.