Richmond, VA - We applaud Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s announcement today to veto “anti-sanctuary” bills that would have prevented localities from exercising reasonable and appropriate discretion in how they interact with immigrants and immigrant detainees.

Anti-sanctuary bills, such as HB2000 and SB1262 risk public safety and enshrine discrimination. At a time when many Virginians are struggling, our elected representatives must focus on issues that matter most to working families — good jobs, quality public schools, affordable health care and housing, and more.

“Sanctuary prohibition bills won’t create one job or educate one child,” said New Virginia Majority’s Co-Executive Director Tram Nguyen “Instead, it makes intolerance the law of the Commonwealth, and it will open our localities up to legal liability. Virginians want policies that make us more, not less, welcoming to newcomers.”

Today’s announcement came the day after Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney affirmed the city of Richmond’s commitment to protecting all its residents, regardless of status, and its refusal to participate in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement programs.

“We won’t stop working to make Virginia fulfill the promise of its residents to be a just, welcoming, and democratic place,” Nguyen said.

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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization, and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic, and environmentally sustainable.