Hopewell Sheriff’s Office continues ICE collaboration after Spanberger’s state law enforcement agencies order

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) -- Hopewell Sheriff's Office is 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.

The directive does not explicitly 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

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.

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

8News reached out to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office and the Buckingham County Sheriff's Office, which also have existing 287(g) agreements, but have not yet received a response.