Virginia governor ends ICE cooperation agreements with state law enforcement
RICHMOND, Va. – Governor Abigail D. Spanberger on Wednesday signed an executive directive ordering all Virginia law enforcement agencies to terminate their participation in federal immigration enforcement agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Executive Directive 1 (2026) directs the Virginia State Police, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Wildlife, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to end any existing 287(g) agreements or related memoranda of understanding with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The directive takes effect immediately.
In the order, Governor Spanberger said state and local law enforcement resources should remain focused on public safety and community trust rather than federal civil immigration enforcement. The directive follows her earlier Executive Order No. 10, which rescinded a previous order authorizing state cooperation with ICE under the 287(g) program.
A review conducted by the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security allegedly found that the federal agreements “improperly cede accountability and discretion over Virginia law enforcement to the federal government.”
The directive states that Virginia agencies will continue cooperating with federal and local partners under judicial warrants but will not act under ICE supervision.
Under the new policy, each affected agency must report within five business days a list of any 287(g) agreements or similar arrangements still in effect, along with the date the agency formally withdraws from each.
- Executive Directive 1 (2026) ends all Virginia participation in ICE’s 287(g) program.
- The governor said the move restores accountability to state law enforcement.
- Agencies must report withdrawal dates and related agreements within five days.
Spanberger said she has “full confidence that Virginia law enforcement is keeping Virginia safer when exercising their authority under Virginia law.”
The directive was signed February 4, 2026, and attested by Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon King.
