RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order directing Virginia law enforcement to assist in federal immigration enforcement efforts, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
Executive Order 47 mandates the Virginia State Police and Department of Corrections to enter into Section 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing state officers to be deputized for federal immigration enforcement. It also instructs local jails to confirm their cooperation with ICE.
“As Governor, protecting our citizens is my foremost responsibility, and today we are taking action that will make Virginia safer by removing dangerous criminal illegal immigrants from our Commonwealth,” Youngkin said.
Attorney General Jason Miyares emphasized law enforcement’s duty to comply with federal immigration laws, stating, “Keeping Virginians safe from violent criminals is our top priority.”
The order creates a State Police Task Force of federally deputized troopers to help identify and arrest undocumented immigrants with criminal records. It also authorizes corrections officers to be trained as Designated Immigration Officers to assist in detention and processing.
Virginia’s move aligns with a broader national debate over the role of state and local law enforcement in federal immigration policy.