Politics
Federal judge pauses Virginia restrictions on local ICE cooperation
A court ruling temporarily halts a provision requiring Virginia sheriffs to modify or dissolve 287(g) agreements while federal litigation proceeds.
The short version
- A federal judge issued a temporary pause on a central piece of Virginia's new law restricting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
- The blocked provision would have required local sheriffs to amend or end existing 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- The court found the measure likely violates the Contracts Clause and improperly seeks to regulate federal law enforcement operations.
- The underlying lawsuit filed by the federal government remains pending, while neighboring Maryland faces a separate legal challenge over similar state-level restrictions.
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge Robert Payne paused enforcement of a key provision in Virginia's statute that would have compelled local sheriffs to terminate or adjust their 287(g) agreements with federal immigration authorities.[Fox News]
- Judge Payne ruled that the federal government is likely to succeed on its claims, stating the measure constitutes a substantial impairment of existing intergovernmental contracts and improperly attempts to regulate federal immigration enforcement.[Fox News]
- The preliminary order halts implementation of the provision while the broader federal lawsuit against Virginia continues through the court system.[Fox News]
- A coalition of 17 Maryland sheriffs has mounted a separate lawsuit challenging comparable legislation enacted in Maryland that restricts local cooperation with ICE.[Fox News]