27-02-2025
‘They should be sent back where they came from': Governor Youngkin deputizes Virginia State Police to help ICE enforcement
VIRGINIA () — Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an Thursday that directs Virginia State Police (VSP) to help with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removal and enforcement operations.
VSP and the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) were directed to sign agreements with ICE, deputizing officials to support the federal effort.
As part of the order, a task force within VSP would be dedicated to the identification and apprehension of illegal immigrants and VADOC correction officers would be trained and assigned as Designated Immigration Officers (DIOs).
In a statement, Youngkin said, in part, 'Dangerous criminal illegal immigrants should not be let back into our communities to assault, rape and murder. They should be sent back where they came from.'
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As of Feb. 27, just under 950 inmates in the VADOC had an open , according to Younkin's order.
An immigration detainer is a notice informing federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that ICE intends to assume custody of that person. Typically, detainers are issued after ICE establishes probable cause that the person is removable – such as after they are convicted of a crime or if they pose a threat to national security or public safety.
The executive order said a substantial number of the detainees are violent criminals.
Youngkin stated that partnerships between the VSP and VADOC will 'not only reinforce Virginia's commitment to justice and the rule of law but also enhance our ability to preempt the reentry of dangerous offenders into our communities…'
The executive order will turn officials' reactionary cooperation into more proactive measures.
Three directives were outlined in the order, including:
Initiate a VSP Task Force consisting of federally deputized officers who will help in the identification and apprehension of 'criminal illegal immigrants who pose a risk to public safety' throughout Virginia.
Establish a VADOC Jail Enforcement Model Program to leverage multiple detention and processing facilities throughout Virginia and train corrections officers as Designated Immigration Officers (DIOs).
Instruct the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to contact every official in charge of a local or regional jail in Virginia to confirm their 'full cooperation' with ICE in its enforcement and removal operations.
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