(The Center Square) – Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday signed an executive order limiting how federal civil immigration enforcement can operate on state property while vetoing separate legislation that sought broader restrictions in schools, hospitals, courthouses and polling places.
“With this law, Virginia is reaffirming that transparency, accountability, and a commitment to earning the public’s trust are prerequisite to enforcing the law in our Commonwealth.”
Executive Order 16 requires Virginia agencies to confirm federal immigration officers have a valid warrant or judicial order before entering nonpublic areas of Commonwealth property for civil immigration enforcement activities.
“Virginia’s state and local law enforcement will always comply with federal law and are expected to cooperate with lawful federal immigration enforcement activities that protect our communities,” said the governor in a statement.
“At the same time, the public trust essential to local law enforcement is being undermined by the aggressive tactics used by federal immigration officials and the significant increase in tempo and type of immigration-related arrests being made across the country.”
The order also bars state property from being used as a staging area, processing location or operations base for federal civil immigration enforcement.
Spanberger said the order is intended to provide guidance for public employees and institutions interacting with federal immigration officers.
“Today, Virginia is taking important steps to help deepen trust in our law enforcement and provide clear guidance to Virginians who are most likely to interact with federal immigration officials.”
The order directs several agencies to develop guidance for schools, hospitals, polling places and courthouses.
That includes instructions for poll workers and election officials, courthouse personnel, Commonwealth’s Attorneys offices, public schools, colleges and healthcare facilities.
The administration also announced plans for a statewide “Know Your Rights” website where Virginians can access guidance and report alleged discriminatory practices involving federal immigration enforcement.
At the same time, Spanberger signed House Bill 1482 and Senate Bill 352, which the administration said strengthen accountability and transparency standards for law enforcement officers.
The governor’s office specifically pointed to concerns about masked officers during enforcement operations.
“Law enforcement officers wearing masks on American streets undercut basic expectations of accountability, sow fear and confusion, and erode the public trust,” Spanberger said.
Spanberger also vetoed House Bill 650 and Senate Bill 351, measures aimed at limiting certain federal civil immigration enforcement activities in protected areas including courthouses, schools, hospitals, polling places and Commonwealth’s Attorneys offices.
The legislation would have required federal immigration officers to present judicial warrants or subpoenas before accessing nonpublic areas of certain protected locations and restricted certain civil immigration arrests in those areas.
In her veto statement, Spanberger said the measures could create legal conflicts and liability issues for local officials and security personnel responding to federal immigration enforcement actions.
“I appreciate the goal and intended purpose of this bill, but in practice, this legislation would not achieve the intended goals,” Spanberger wrote.
Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Charlottesville, said after the veto that she was disappointed Spanberger rejected the bill, but said she trusted the governor would still take action through the executive order.
The executive order states it does not prevent agencies from complying with valid judicial warrants, enforcing Virginia criminal laws on state property or participating in law enforcement task forces unrelated to federal civil immigration enforcement.
