Bills limiting ICE cooperation, barring immigration arrests in public spaces clear General Assembly

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A slate of bills aimed at reining in law enforcement involvement in federal immigration activities is now headed to Gov. Abigail Spanberger's desk.

Bills that advocates said would bring accountability, oversight and transparency to how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates in Virginia cleared the General Assembly as the 2026 session wrapped on Saturday, March 14.

Among them are measures that limit agencies' cooperation with ICE, prohibit immigration-related arrests in certain public spaces and bar officers from wearing facial coverings during official duties.

Bills limit law enforcement cooperation with ICE

Legislators have passed Senate Bill 783 and House Bill 1441, which put constraints on agreements between ICE and local and state agencies. Under the bills, agencies cannot maintain, renew or enter into any federal immigration agreement unless it meets certain conditions.

The bills also prevent law enforcement from assisting ICE or federal immigration operations, unless presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena or detainer.

PREVIOUS: Spanberger orders termination of ICE agreements with state law enforcement

Virginia lawmakers in recent months have pushed for stronger guardrails amid the Trump administration's sweeping immigration raids and arrests across the country. Spanberger on Feb. 4 issued Executive Order 12, directing all state law enforcement agencies and divisions to terminate existing 287(g) agreements, which allow agencies to assist ICE with immigration enforcement.

Bills bar ICE arrests at protected public spaces

Senate Bill 351 and House Bill 650 have passed both chambers. Under the bills, ICE agents cannot make arrests at courthouses, hospitals, schools, commonwealth attorneys' offices or near polling places without identification, a reason for entry and a judicial warrant.

MORE: Proposed bills to guard against ICE arrests without judicial warrant in Virginia courthouses, hospitals and schools

Both bills also stipulate that local law enforcement or security personnel cannot knowingly allow ICE agents to enter the courthouse without a warrant, which must be reviewed and confirmed as authentic. Similar guardrails also apply to other state-owned facilities, hospitals and higher education institutions.

Bills ban face masks during official duties

Lawmakers approved two measures prohibiting state and local law enforcement officers from wearing face masks while performing their official duties except under specific circumstances, such as protection against disease, infection or exposure to toxic substances. Officers assigned to a special weapons and tactics team that requires facial coverings as part of its official duties are also exempt.

Under House Bill 1482 and Senate Bill 352, officers who violate the policy may face disciplinary action, including dismissal, demotion, suspension, transfer or decertification. Violations will also result in a Class 1 misdemeanor if the agency lacks a valid policy or if the officer does not display required identification.

Del. Mike Jones (D-Richmond) introduced a similar bill last year that prohibits federal, state and local law enforcement from wearing a mask while performing their official duties. Jones, whose district has a large Latino population, said his constituents have a right to know who is patrolling their streets. The bill did not advance.