Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on December 12 that localities could lose funding if they adopt policies to make it more difficult for federal officials to report immigrants convicted of crimes.
“Virginia is not a sanctuary state, and we must be clear that we will not allow localities to become ‘sanctuary cities,’” Younkin said during a budget announcement on Thursday.
Youngkin’s proposal would require local law enforcement, sheriffs, and director of incarceration facilities to provide notice to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within 48 hours of a pending release of an illegal immigrant serving time for a crime.
Such a policy is already in place in Albemarle, Charlottesville, and Nelson County. In January 2018, the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail upheld a policy of notifying federal authorities within 48 hours. The vote was 7-3 and Courteney Stuart had the story for what was then called the Charlottesville Newsplex. ICE even sent out a press release.
Further details on Youngkin’s proposed policy are within a three-page memo included in the information release that specifies what local funding will be withheld. The director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services would be required to withhold what are known as “599” funds to localities to pay for local and regional jails. Learn more about 599 funds here.
The memo lists several localities that have policies to block cooperation with ICE including Arlington County, Fairfax County, the City of Richmond, and the City of Alexandria.
Top photo credit: Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks announcing “No Sanctuary Cities” budget proposal at an event in Richmond on December 12, 2024. (Credit: Official Photo by Austin Stevens, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin)
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