Richmond, VA – On January 17, 2026, shortly after her inauguration as Virginia’s 75th Governor and the first woman to hold the office, Abigail Spanberger signed a series of ten executive orders on her first day. Among them, Executive Order #10 directly rescinds former Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 47, which had required and encouraged state and local law enforcement to assist in federal civil immigration enforcement.
The new order, as detailed in the official press release from the Governor’s office, states: “This executive order rescinds Executive Order 47, which requires and encourages state and local law enforcement to divert their limited resources for use in enforcing federal civil immigration laws. Ensuring public safety in Virginia requires state and local law enforcement to be focused on their core responsibilities of investigating and deterring criminal activity, staffing jails, and community engagement.”
BREAKING: Abigail Spanberger's first act as Governor of Virginia was to repeal Glenn Youngkin's executive order that mandated state and local law enforcement cooperate with ICE. Let’s go. pic.twitter.com/PUF5ikraM0
— Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) January 17, 2026
Spanberger’s action aligns with her emphasis on pragmatic leadership and public safety priorities. In the broader announcement of her Day One initiatives, she explained the focus on addressing immediate challenges for Virginians, including lowering costs, strengthening the economy, and improving education. The executive orders were signed at the Virginia State Capitol following her swearing-in ceremony.
Youngkin’s Executive Order 47, announced on February 27, 2025, directed the Virginia State Police and Department of Corrections to enter into Section 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These agreements allowed for the deputization of state officers to assist in identifying and apprehending individuals described as “dangerous criminal illegal immigrants,” including the creation of a State Police Task Force and training corrections officers as Designated Immigration Officers. The order also required the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to seek certification of full cooperation from local and regional jails.
“To the people of Virginia: we are beginning a new chapter in our Commonwealth’s story. We need you to help us write it.” pic.twitter.com/KtSkE8QAHo
— Abigail Spanberger (@SpanbergerForVA) January 17, 2026
Youngkin stated at the time: “As Governor, protecting our citizens is my foremost responsibility and today we are taking action that will make Virginia safer by removing dangerous criminal illegal immigrants from our Commonwealth.” He emphasized partnership with federal immigration enforcement under the then-upcoming Trump administration.
Spanberger’s repeal of EO 47 reverses this mandate, shifting law enforcement resources back to state-level priorities rather than federal civil immigration matters. The move comes as part of a broader set of Day One actions aimed at making Virginia more affordable and responsive to community needs.
This executive action highlights the policy shift following Spanberger’s election victory over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in November 2025, marking a change in direction from Youngkin’s tenure on immigration-related cooperation.
