Immigration-advocacy organization responds to Youngkin’s ‘no sanctuary cities’ proposal

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Among the number of budget amendment proposals Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) will introduce next week, one described as a 'no sanctuary cities' amendment has been added to the list.

"If localities adopt sanctuary city practices or laws that block or impede the communication and cooperation with ICE, they will lose funding from the state," Youngkin said.

Under this proposal, local law enforcement and jails will need to recognize and respect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers and provide 48-hour prior notification of the release of an undocumented immigrant who has committed a crime.

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"'No sanctuary cities' amendments will also ensure that Virginia taxpayers are not funding local authorities who are refusing to comply with federal laws to deport illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes," Youngkin said.

8News political analyst Rich Meagher weighed in on the matter, explaining how this proposal may create difficulties for law enforcement.

"There is an idea that, if you don't allow for undocumented people to report crimes or to become witnesses about crimes -- to talk to police officers -- then local law enforcement can't do their job as well as they want to," Meagher said.

CASA, a grassroots advocacy organization supporting immigrants, sent 8News a statement in opposition to the governor's proposal.

"In response to Governor Youngkin’s budget proposal banning sanctuary cities in Virginia, CASA released the following statement from Luis Aguilar, Virginia Director:

“CASA stands firmly against Governor Glenn Youngkin’s harmful budget proposal, which seeks to penalize Virginia cities and counties for fostering trust between the Commonwealth of Virginia and its diverse communities. This plan is misguided, threatening public safety. Having TRUST policies in place means community members, no matter what they look like or what country they are from, can feel safe reporting crimes to police, taking their children to school, and getting treated at a hospital. We can’t undermine the very values that make Virginia strong: the strength of our workers -- the beautiful families that love calling Virginia home.

Immigrants are essential to the fabric of our state. We are your workers, your neighbors, your caregivers, and your students. Our culture, vibrancy, belonging has been embraced for so long. From the factories to our hospitals and homes, immigrants are the backbone of our economy and society.

“By targeting localities like Richmond and Fairfax, which have chosen to prioritize trust and public safety by not proactively cooperating with ICE, Governor Youngkin’s proposal puts lives at risk. How can we expect anyone, immigrant or otherwise, to reach out to law enforcement in times of need when they fear deportation or discrimination? Trust is the foundation of any safe community. Without it, victims of crime will remain silent, and witnesses will turn away, leaving dangerous situations unreported and unaddressed.

Governor Youngkin’s budget plan does not protect Virginians—it divides us. It pits community members against one another, driving a wedge between law enforcement and the very people who contribute to making our state great. It punishes cities for supporting immigrant families and breeds an atmosphere of fear.

CASA stands with Virginia’s immigrant communities and calls on the Governor to reconsider this dangerous proposal.”

Nerbir Rodríguez lives in Fairfax County and was instrumental in passing the county’s TRUST policy. This father of three children owns a landscaping and gardening business boasting six employees. He’s enjoyed living in Virginia these past 17+ years, raising his children and growing its economy.

CASA member Nerbir shares, “For many years in Virginia we have fought to pass laws in favor of our immigrant community, such as driver’s licenses in the Commonwealth and the TRUST policy in Fairfax County. However, with this proposal to end those programs, I feel unsafe and afraid knowing that I may be at risk of deportation, and that my family may be separated. We do not want these types of racist laws in our state, since what they do is generate hatred for our community, seek to erode our strength as workers, and dilute the economic contributions that our families make to this nation.” Jossie Flor Sapunar, National Communications Director for CASA

Del. Michael Jones (D-Chesterfield) provided 8News with the following statement after this announcement:

"As a Chief of Police for five police agencies, I have witnessed 1st hand the severe damage caused by illegal immigration and its harm to Va Citizens as well as damage to those desperately seeking the benefits allocated to [Virginia] citizens.

I fully support the right of VA citizens to be protected from the cost, crime and economic burden that ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WILL CAUSE HARM TO [Virginia] citizens who are in need themselves!

Just say NO to those who violate the laws of [Virginia] and our country.

I also support those illegal persons who seeks to follow the legally proscribed rules who do follow the laws of our state and country!

Citizenship is EARNED, citizenship must be legal at all times and the culture of [Virginia,] our language, our culture and the adoption of our customs will be a continued requirement to keep [Virginia] citizenship!

Proud to be a [Virginia] citizen who supports our country, state, localities, our schools and our fellow citizens!" Del. Michael Jones (D-Chesterfield)

Any amendments to the state budget must be approved by the General Assembly, which will receive this and all of Youngkin's other new proposals next week.