Griffith Statement on Harmful Spanberger Executive Action
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Directive 1, directing the Commonwealth’s law enforcement agencies to terminate any and all Section 287(g) agreements. This order threatens the work of Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Corrections to cooperate with federal law enforcement to keep Virginia communities safe.
U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:
“Law enforcement officials are important public safety servants in Virginia’s Ninth District. A core function of their mission is to protect Virginia communities, and I believe cooperation between local, state and federal officials helps accomplish that goal.
“I believe Governor Spanberger’s action to terminate 287(g) agreements directly undermines this goal and potentially pits local communities, state law enforcement and federal law enforcement against each other. This creates danger for all involved.
“This executive directive can be seen as encouraging behaviors and actions that obstruct federal law enforcement!
“Because the public safety needs of our communities are in Virginia’s best interest, I urge Governor Spanberger to rescind this harmful executive directive.”
February 4, 2026 @ 4:30 pm
Another statement from Morgan.
Now how about you actually do something to help the people of Virginia!
Otherwise keep your statements to yourself.
February 4, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
This is exactly what she planned. This action should be considered illegal . All our law enforcement officers are here to enforce our laws. Criminal illegal aliens should be deported. You can urge her to rescind this directive but I do not expect that she cares what we think. She will increase taxes to go along with the surplus of money that was waiting for her. God bless our law enforcement officers.
February 5, 2026 @ 8:29 am
Details matter.
https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2026/02/04/governor-spanberger-signs-executive-order-and-directive-establishing-principles-for-virginia-law-enforcement/
February 5, 2026 @ 8:48 am
Liar. Here is what it does:
Her directive does not affect the ability of state law enforcement agencies to work with federal task forces. She added that state and local law enforcement are expected to continue working with federal law enforcement whenever there is a “judicial warrant in hand.”
February 5, 2026 @ 11:27 am
Section 287(g) has been in place since 1996. Allen (R) was governor at the time, but since then no other Democrat governor saw fit to change this, yet Spanberger does. Focus is on CRIMINALS here illegally. How is that a bad thing?
ICE’s 287(g) Program
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight. Likewise, Title 25 USC 2804(e) also allows federal agencies to enter into agreements with Indian tribes to carry out laws of the United States, such as immigration laws.
The Program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the United States.
ICE recognizes the importance of its relationships with law enforcement partners—including state, local, and tribal agencies—to carry out its critical mission.
Through the delegation of specified immigration officer duties, the program allows ICE to enhance collaboration with state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of aliens who undermine the safety of our nation’s communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.
February 5, 2026 @ 11:55 am
gov. spanberger is going to be a disaster for virginia…
February 5, 2026 @ 11:59 am
Supporters of our new Governor, its like buyer remorse and we have way far to go down this road.