Statewide immigration enforcement efforts in Virginia are expanding under executive order

Richmond, Virginia – Governor Glenn Youngkin has taken a firm stance on immigration enforcement with the issuance of Executive Order 47, which directs Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. The order also calls for local and regional law enforcement agencies to fully cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the removal of undocumented individuals who commit violent crimes.

The order emphasizes public safety by aligning Virginia with Section 287(g) agreements, allowing state and local law enforcement officers to be deputized as federal immigration enforcement agents.

Governor Youngkin’s Commitment to Public Safety

Governor Youngkin made his intentions clear, emphasizing that his top priority is protecting Virginians by removing individuals who pose a threat to communities.

“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,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This order will allow Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections to partner with President Trump’s administration on federal immigration enforcement. Dangerous criminal illegal immigrants should not be let back into our communities to assault, rape and murder. They should be sent back where they came from.”

The Governor’s statement highlights the direct collaboration with the federal government and underscores his belief that strict enforcement of immigration laws is necessary to enhance safety within Virginia.

Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Support the Order

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, a legal immigrant and naturalized citizen, strongly supported the executive order, stating that Virginia’s leadership has already made strides in improving public safety by boosting law enforcement funding and addressing violent crime. She sees this new directive as another essential step in that process.

“I am a legal immigrant and now a naturalized citizen. Working together, the Governor, Attorney General, and I have made Virginia safer. We supported more funding for law enforcement and tackled violent crimes in our cities. Now, working with President Trump, we can take on the scourge of dangerous and violent illegal immigrants,” said Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. “We’ve seen too many tragic stories after dangerous criminals in this country illegally were put back on the streets, and this Executive Order will make sure we send them back to where they came from.”

Attorney General Jason Miyares also reinforced the legal and moral obligation of Virginia’s law enforcement to assist with federal immigration operations.

“As I have said before, Virginia’s law enforcement professionals have both the authority and a moral duty to cooperate with every lawful federal immigration order to the maximum extent possible,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “Keeping Virginians safe from violent criminals is our top priority. Today’s executive order makes one thing crystal clear. If you are present in this country illegally and commit a violent crime, you will be arrested and deported consistent with the law.”

What Executive Order 47 Requires

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), giving ICE the authority to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies. These agreements allow federally trained officers to carry out immigration enforcement under ICE’s supervision.

With Executive Order 47, Virginia will implement the following measures:

• Virginia State Police to Partner with ICE:

  • The Virginia State Police (VSP) will sign a Section 287(g) Task Force Model Memorandum of Understanding with ICE.
  • This agreement will deputize state troopers to help identify and apprehend undocumented individuals who have committed violent crimes.

• Virginia Department of Corrections to Expand Detention and Processing:

  • The Virginia Department of Corrections will complete a Section 287(g) Jail Enforcement Model Memorandum of Understanding with ICE.
  • This agreement will establish multiple detention and processing facilities across Virginia.
  • Corrections officers will receive training to become Designated Immigration Officers, allowing them to process undocumented individuals for removal.

• Full Cooperation from Local and Regional Jails:

  • The Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security will contact directors, sheriffs, and jail officials across Virginia.
  • Each local and regional jail authority will be required to certify full cooperation with ICE and the Section 287(g) VSP Task Force.

A New Direction for Virginia’s Immigration Policy

Governor Youngkin’s executive order marks a significant shift in Virginia’s approach to immigration enforcement. By deputizing state and local law enforcement officers, the administration aims to close gaps in enforcement and prevent individuals with violent criminal histories from remaining in Virginia communities.

This move aligns Virginia with other states that have actively participated in Section 287(g) agreements, strengthening the connection between state and federal immigration efforts.

While supporters argue that this policy will help remove dangerous individuals, critics may see it as a controversial expansion of state involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Regardless of political views, Executive Order 47 sets a new precedent for how Virginia will handle immigration-related law enforcement moving forward.

As Virginia implements this new directive, all eyes will be on how these policies impact public safety, law enforcement operations, and cooperation between state and federal agencies.