Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has recently addressed several contentious issues that have been brewing during her tenure. As she spoke to reporters outside the Executive Mansion in Richmond, she firmly declared, “Virginia is not a sanctuary state—full stop.” This statement comes in the wake of backlash for disbanding her predecessor Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s 287(g) cooperation agreement with the Department of Homeland Security.
Spanberger faces criticism as several crimes, allegedly committed by illegal immigrants, raise questions about the safety of Virginia residents. Critics argue that her executive order has left police unable to cooperate effectively with immigration enforcement. Despite the backlash, she asserted, “There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” and defended her order, which she claims ensures that state police remain independent from federal oversight. “I don’t think it is responsible…to put Virginia State Police under the supervision or direction of ICE,” she explained.
Earlier, a bill from Sen. Saddam Salim would have mandated that law enforcement agencies could only carry out immigration enforcement functions with proper judicial warrants. In response to misconceptions about her policies, Spanberger clarified, “That is not correct. My predecessor said they had to. I simply said I was not forcing them to.”
Although she maintains that her administration continues to work with federal agencies, she did draw a line. “It was only the 287(g) agreements that I said state agencies cannot enter into,” she reiterated, emphasizing that task forces still collaborate effectively. Her comments come at a time when many are worried about the implications of illegal immigration in their communities.
Spanberger is not just facing criticism on immigration. A recent Washington Post poll revealed that she holds the lowest net-favorability rating of any Virginia governor in recent decades. Spanberger responded to this troubling statistic with a dose of humor. “If everybody hated me, why is everybody putting my face on their mailers for the referendum?” she quipped, hinting at her presence in political ad campaigns.
Moreover, Spanberger has faced scrutiny for her stance on gerrymandering. While she has publicly opposed it, she recently endorsed a redistricting effort that could significantly alter the political landscape of Virginia by pushing nearly all Republican representatives out of districting plans. Despite this significant move, she maintained that her 17-point electoral win should be the only poll worth considering.
The governor concluded her remarks by asserting her commitment to deliver tangible results for Virginians. She acknowledged that criticism is part of the job. “I knew when I first was elected that I would have a big target on me,” Spanberger admitted, pointing to the challenges that come with her position.
ICE Director Todd Lyons weighed in on Spanberger’s position, suggesting she reconsider her stance. “I never thought in my whole career, someone would campaign on going against law enforcement,” he said, underlining the complexities that Spanberger faces as she navigates these controversial waters.
In these early months as the governor, Spanberger’s actions and decisions have garnered both praise and criticism. Her response to these challenges indicates a willingness to engage with dissent while steadfastly navigating her agenda for the state. The coming weeks will reveal how these contentious decisions will play out and whether Spanberger can address her critics while also solidifying her governing legacy.
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