Glenn Youngkin, the governor of Virginia, has expressed concerns that Abigail Spanberger will transform Virginia into a sanctuary state. This reaction comes in response to Spanberger’s intention to reverse Youngkin’s executive order mandating law enforcement cooperation with immigration enforcement.
“In her very first act as governor, @SpanbergerForVA promises to turn Virginia into a sanctuary state for dangerous illegal immigrants,” said Glenn Allen Youngkin, State Executive – Governor. “@winwithwinsome promises to keep dangerous criminals off our streets. Could the choice be any more clear, Virginia?”
According to Virginia Mercury, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger said that one of her initial actions, if elected, would be to overturn Governor Glenn Youngkin’s immigration directive. This directive requires Virginia law enforcement to assist with federal immigration crackdowns. In an interview with the publication, Spanberger argued that the measure misallocates resources and damages trust between communities and local police. “I would rescind his executive order, yes,” she said. She emphasized that immigration enforcement should remain a federal responsibility and warned against diverting local police efforts towards immigration sweeps as “a misuse of those resources.”
Spanberger’s stance contrasts with that of her Republican opponent, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, who supports Youngkin’s approach. Earle-Sears has linked her backing for stricter enforcement to her personal experience as a legal immigrant from Jamaica. In February, she said, “I am a legal immigrant and now a naturalized citizen. Working together, the governor, attorney general, and I have made Virginia safer.” She reiterated Youngkin’s claims regarding deportations of “dangerous criminal illegal immigrants” while framing the issue around adherence to the rule of law. “The rule of law is not negotiable — it is the foundation of our safety, our freedom, and the promise of opportunity that defines America,” she said.
According to Virginia Mercury, with immigration consistently ranking as a top concern for Republican voters, this issue is expected to remain central in the campaign. Voters face a choice between Spanberger’s commitment to reducing state involvement in immigration enforcement and Earle-Sears’ pledge to intensify such efforts.
Glenn Youngkin is a Republican politician and former private equity executive who has served as the 74th governor of Virginia since January 2022.
