(The Center Square) – Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares joined the family of Stephanie Minter at the state Capitol on Tuesday, calling for policy changes following her killing in Fairfax County.
Minter, 41, was fatally stabbed at a bus stop in Fairfax County. Police have identified the suspect as Abdul Jalloh, who has been charged with second-degree murder in the case.
Federal officials have said Jalloh was in the United States illegally and had more than 30 prior arrests. The Department of Homeland Security also said immigration authorities had previously lodged a detainer against him.
The press conference, organized by The American Border Story, brought together advocates, elected officials and Minter’s family to call for changes to immigration enforcement policies and coordination between local, state and federal agencies.
“This was 100% preventable,” said Nicole Kiprilov, executive director of the American Border Story.
Speakers also criticized Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, arguing prior cases involving the suspect were not successfully prosecuted.
Minter’s mother, Cheryl Minter, called for changes to prevent similar cases.
“Change has got to happen,” she said. “It’s just got to.”
She described her daughter as someone who could “always lift people up.”
In an interview with The Center Square, Cheryl Minter said officials should focus on protecting citizens.
“These people in office have to be for the people and not the illegals. Period,” she said.
In an interview with The Center Square, Miyares called for specific policy changes.
“Abigail Spanberger needs to veto House Bill 1441,” he said, saying the bill would create what he described as a “blanket ban” on cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
He also called for repealing Executive Order One, which he said limits cooperation between state agencies and federal immigration enforcement.
Miyares said earlier intervention could have prevented the case.
“The first time an illegal immigrant is arrested and is sitting in a Virginia jail, federal immigration authorities should be notified,” he said.
Descano’s office said it had previously secured a conviction against Jalloh and made efforts to hold him accountable in subsequent cases.
Chief of Staff Laura Birnbaum told The Center Square that prosecutors were unable to move forward in some cases without victim participation and that some charges were dropped but could be refiled if circumstances change. She also said decisions involving ICE detainers fall under the authority of the sheriff’s office.
House Bill 1441 would place limits on cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, while allowing coordination in certain cases, including when a valid judicial warrant or detainer is issued, according to bill language.
The event concluded with a prayer vigil honoring Minter and calls for legislative changes.
