Richmond, VA - In Virginia, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued Executive Order 47, directing state law enforcement and corrections officers to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in enforcing federal immigration laws. The governor stated that this measure aims to "make Virginia safer by removing dangerous criminal illegal immigrants from our Commonwealth."
The executive order mandates that the Virginia State Police (VSP) and the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) enter into Section 287(g) agreements with ICE. These agreements allow designated state officers to perform specific immigration enforcement functions under ICE's supervision. (Governor Glenn Youngkin signs executive order to keep Virginians safe from dangerous criminal illegal immigrants, 2025)
While the order directs state-level agencies to formalize cooperation with ICE, it also instructs the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to contact local and regional jail authorities to certify their full cooperation with ICE and the VSP Task Force. However, the order does not explicitly require local Police and Sheriff's departments to enter into 287(g) agreements or directly participate in immigration enforcement; instead, it seeks their voluntary cooperation.
In Virginia, local police departments operate under the authority of their respective municipalities or counties, maintaining a degree of autonomy from state agencies like the VSP. This separation means that, while the state can encourage local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities, it cannot compel them to do so without specific legislation. Consequently, the extent of cooperation with ICE varies among local jurisdictions, reflecting local policies and community priorities.
It's important to note that Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows ICE to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies, allowing designated officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions under ICE supervision. Participation in such agreements is voluntary and requires proper training and oversight.
As Virginia LULAC, we stand firmly against this executive order and urge our localities to reject participation in these fear-mongering tactics. Policies like this attempt to scapegoat and criminalize individuals based on their background, fostering fear and mistrust within our communities. We call on municipalities across Virginia to uphold the principles of justice and equality by refusing to engage in actions that could harm community trust and safety.
From the ACLU Virginia, they mention how the governor is trying to push a false narrative, "For years, Virginia's governor has been pushing the same dangerous, false narrative as the Trump administration that immigrants commit crime at higher rates than people who were born here, despite the fact that no data exists to support that conclusion." (Gov. Youngkin's anti-immigrant executive order is playing politics with People's Lives, 2025) We recognize this is a fear-mongering tactic that Governor Youngkin and his goons are trying to create and we will not fall for it and encourage the anti-message of this to be known.
We believe that such measures are unnecessary and will only lead to increased chaos and diminished trust in the civil governments that are meant to protect all residents, regardless of their immigration status. Virginia LULAC remains committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals and will continue to oppose actions that undermine these fundamental values.
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About Virginia LULAC:
Virginia LULAC is the Virginia Chapter of The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. Virginia LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latinos in the Commonwealth through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
For media inquiries, please contact: Virginia LULAC – virginialulacofficial@gmail.com
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