Spanberger veto sparks debate over ICE enforcement in courthouses 25MAI26

 I had my doubts about spanberger when she was running for governor of Virginia, I just did not get a good feeling from her, definitely not that she was a champion for the poor, working class and middle class of the Commonwealth and I was right. I am glad I didn't waste any time or money on her campaign, I didn't even have one of her bumper stickers on my Jeep. I did vote for her as a lesser of two evils, the gop / greed over people-republican candidate, winsome earle-sears, was and probably still is a voluntarily ignorant trumper, stupid and evil to the core. We are stuck with Gov spanberger for 4 years and will just have to keep on top of her and the assembly in Richmond to keep her damage to a minimum. This on one of her betrayals and I honestly hope she sometime experiences the same kind of abuse from "law enforcement" that she is willing to allow others to suffer. From WRIC.....

Spanberger veto sparks debate over ICE enforcement in courthouses

by: Sara Molina

Posted: May 25, 2026 / 09:23 PM EDT

Updated: May 25, 2026 / 09:23 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has vetoed legislation that would have limited certain warrantless ICE arrests inside Virginia courthouses, known as HB650 and SB351, according to the ACLU of Virginia.

“Since January of 2025, we’ve seen a huge surge in ICE showing up in Virginia courthouses without judicial warrants, picking people up who are just there to do their business,” said Chris Kaiser, policy director for the ACLU of Virginia.

Kaiser said the situation is already having an impact on court participation.

“It’s had a serious deterrent effect on people coming to court seeking help – not to mention a threat to Virginia’s authority to run its own judicial system,” Kaiser said.

In explaining her veto, Spanberger said she shares concerns over “dangerous and unchecked federal immigration enforcement actions,” but said House Bill 650 would not achieve its intended purpose.

Instead, she pointed to her Executive Order 16, which directs state entities, public institutions and agencies across the Commonwealth to develop guidelines for how to handle ICE encounters in those locations.

Kaiser said the executive order does not provide the same protections as the rejected legislation.

“They’re doing two totally different things,” Kaiser said. “Nothing in the executive order suggests those workgroups will come up with guidance restricting warrantless arrests like the bills would have.”