Under the proposal, localities that adopt sanctuary policies - those that hinder communication or

cooperation with ICE - will face the loss of state funding. We must prioritize the safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth and stop localities from returning criminals who entered the country illegally back out into our communities to potentially commit more crimes.

Recent cases in Virginia highlight the dangers of sanctuary policies: 

* November 2024: An illegal immigrant from Honduras with a criminal record dating back

to 2022, including weapons charges, auto theft, and sexual assaults, attacked and raped a woman on a hiking trail in Herndon. Despite his criminal history, Fairfax County sanctuary policies allowed him to remain in the community. 

* July 2023: Another illegal immigrant from Honduras, arrested in Fairfax County on child sex crime charges, was released on bond after the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office ignored an ICE detainer. He was later re-arrested in February 2024 on additional charges related to child sex crimes. These crimes were preventable if localities had cooperated with ICE by notifying them prior to these individuals release. Sanctuary policies, however, actively impede federal law enforcement efforts and allow dangerous criminals to re-enter our communities. 

Several Virginia localities and jails have implemented these reckless policies in recent years, including: 

*Failing to record immigration status, 

*Ignoring ICE detainers, 

*Failing to notify ICE before releasing inmates, and 

* Not holding inmates for adequate time after notification of release to ICE. 

The consequences are severe. As of November 27, 2024, 945 inmates incarcerated in Virginia Department of Corrections facilities had an open immigration detainer.

Among them: 

* 91% were convicted of violent crimes, 

*21% had murder as their most serious offense, and 

*41% had rape or sexual assault as their most serious offense. 

Governor Youngkin’s proposal mandates cooperation with ICE and pre-release notice and requires the Commonwealth to withhold 599 funding and jail per diem.

This change will ensure local facilities fully comply with ICE detainers and provide sufficient notice to ICE before releasing an illegal immigrant who has committed a crime, allowing ICE adequate time to take custody of them before release.

We must continue to prioritize reducing crime in the Commonwealth and keeping our communities safe.

As always, my team and I are here to assist with any questions or concerns you may have.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out at 434.374.5129 or via email at

[email protected].