February 4, 2026
Contact: Debra Freeman, [email protected], 757-452-1143
New Virginia Majority Applauds Governor Spanberger for Ending Section 287(g) Agreements
New Virginia Majority applauds Governor Abigail Spanberger’s announcement that Virginia will no longer participate in any Section 287(g) agreements, which previously allowed Virginia State Police and local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration enforcement.
Section 287 (g) agreements made citizens reluctant to report crime and created a culture of fear in communities and did not address legitimate safety concerns in neighborhoods around the state. Additionally, these agreements also led to due process violations and unlawful detention without warrants for many of our neighbors.
“Today’s exit from Section 287(g) is a good start to creating a more equitable Virginia for us all. I applaud Governor Spanberger for exiting an agreement that was not only overreaching, but unnecessary. Virginians deserve to go about their daily lives with dignity and without fear,” said NVM co-executive director, Tram Nguyen.
All Virginians, no matter our immigration status, deserve to travel in our communities, go to work, and take our children to school without fear, and exiting this agreement is a step towards making that a reality. NVM will continue to work with elected officials and allies to protect immigrant rights and work towards creating common sense policies that protect, not target, Virginians.
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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color, in immigrant communities, among LGBTQ people, women, youth, and progressives 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. For more information, visit our website.