ABC 7: Spanberger signs order limiting ICE activity at polling places, schools and hospitals
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed new legislation and issued an executive order Wednesday aimed at limiting federal immigration enforcement activity across the state, including schools and polling places.
The governor signed House Bill 1482 and Senate Bill 352, which focus on law enforcement transparency and accountability.
“Kids in elementary school are afraid to get on the bus, neighbors fear being targeted based on their appearance at the grocery store, and workers are not showing up at their jobs. Public trust in state and local law enforcement is being undermined by the aggressive tactics used by federal immigration officials,” said Spanberger.
The order comes as Virginia has seen an increase in immigration-related detentions over the past year. According to the governor’s office, only 30% of individuals held in immigration detention centers in Virginia from January 2025 to March 2026 had been convicted of a crime.
Under the executive order, state agencies have to create guidance for employees who may encounter federal immigration enforcement activity at courthouses, polling locations, healthcare facilities, Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ offices, and public schools.
Spanberger said the move is meant to help people feel safer in places like hospitals and courthouses.
“Law enforcement officers wearing masks on American streets undercut basic expectations of accountability, sow fear and confusion, and erode the public trust,” said Spanberger. “Americans have witnessed the horrors of what can occur when masked federal immigration enforcement agents engage in fear-based policing and enforcement theatre on American streets — like in Minnesota where Renee Good and Alex Pretti were murdered.”
The executive order also prohibits the use of state property as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for federal civil immigration enforcement activities. The order states that agencies must verify that federal officers seeking access to state property have a valid warrant or court order.
The governor also vetoed House Bill 650 and Senate Bill 351, saying the proposals would create legal conflicts for security personnel and local law enforcement officers by forcing them to choose between complying with state or federal law.
As part of the order, Virginia will launch a “Know Your Rights” website for those seeking information about interactions with federal immigration enforcement officials.
