DHS refuses to say why they deleted flawed sanctuary jurisdiction list 

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is playing defense. 

The agency is refusing to say why it deleted a list of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions from its website. 

Screenshots taken by 8News of localities listed prior to DHS deleting the webpage.

Instead, DHS told 8News, “As we have previously stated, the list is being constantly reviewed and can be changed at any time and will be updated regularly.” 

A screenshot from June 1 of the DHS website where the list originally appeared

The controversy started last Thursday when DHS published a list of localities, including 33 in Virginia, which it claimed were “deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens.” 

However, many localities, including uber-conservative Tazewell County, which voted for President Trump by nearly 70 percentage points in 2024, immediately claimed they were wrongfully included on the list. 

Plus, the list also included Martinsville County in Virginia -- a place that doesn’t exist. 

So the question is, how did this happen? 

With DHS not giving us an explanation, 8News is left with two theories, with the first being the use of incorrect data. 

Back in December, 8News found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is overseen by DHS, was using flawed information. Back then, ICE documents claimed the Dinwiddie County Jail was not cooperating with the agency.

However, Dinwiddie County hasn’t had a jail since 2012. 

Meanwhile, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine has a different theory. In a statement, he questioned whether DHS used artificial intelligence to compile the list.