Hopewell, Richmond County sheriff’s offices continue ICE collaboration after Spanberger’s state law enforcement agencies order

Editor's Note: This article has been updated with new information.

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) -- Hopewell Sheriff's Office and Richmond County Sheriff's Office are still working with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) after Gov. Abigail Spanberger's (D) recent directive ordering state law enforcement agencies to terminate their ICE agreements.

Spanberger ordered the termination of all existing 287(g) agreements at the state level on Wednesday, Feb. 4, affecting agencies such as Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Conservation Police and Virginia Marine Police.

It's important to note that the directive does not address agreements held by local or municipal agencies.

"Yes. We are continuing to work with ICE," a spokesperson with the Hopewell Sheriff's Office wrote in a statement to 8News on Friday, Feb. 6.

The sheriff's office previously entered into an ICE agreement in early September 2025, allowing ICE to use the city's detention facilities, as well as allowing local deputies to carry out certain immigration enforcement tasks that federal immigration agents typically do.

MORE: Hopewell Sheriff’s Office partners with ICE, sparking fear amongst immigrant community

"My office will not be ending any agreements we currently have with Immigration Customs Enforcement," a spokesperson with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office wrote in a statement. "As always myself and my agency will continue to work with all law enforcement partners, Local , State and Federal."

The governor's directive came alongside Executive Order 12, which refers to “principles and policies that have long served as the north star for Virginia law enforcement” -- in response to concerns over the Trump administration’s ICE policies.

These 287(g) agreements placed Virginia law enforcement officers under federal control and supervision to conduct civil immigration enforcement, per the governor's office.

RELATED: Hopewell City Public Schools issues statement on immigration raids

According to the latest numbers, 13 staff members across the city have been nominated to participate in the agreement.

8News reached out to the Buckingham County Sheriff's Office, which also has an existing 287(g) agreement, but has not yet received a response.