Newly sworn-in Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has revoked a directive issued by former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin that required state and local law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Spanberger signed Executive Order No. 10 (2026) shortly after taking office, rescinding Youngkin’s Executive Order No. 47 (2025), which mandated and encouraged law enforcement agencies to assist in enforcing federal civil immigration laws. In her order, Spanberger said such requirements improperly shifted state and local resources away from their core responsibilities.
“Federal authorities should enforce federal civil immigration laws—law enforcement in the Commonwealth should prioritize the safety and security of all residents in Virginia, the enforcement of local and state laws, and coordination with federal entities on criminal matters,” the order states.
Spanberger wrote that Youngkin’s directive required agencies to “divert their limited resources for use in enforcing federal civil immigration laws,” calling that approach “not an appropriate use of state or local resources.”
