Virginia Beach is not a sanctuary city, and Va. Code Section 15.2-916.2 prohibits any Virginia locality from adopting policies that restrict cooperation between local police and federal immigration enforcement, including ICE detainers and information sharing.
Under state law enacted in 2020, no Virginia city or county may bar law enforcement from communicating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, honoring lawful detainers, or sharing immigration status information lawfully obtained. Virginia Beach Police follow this state mandate and participate in routine information sharing through the Hampton Roads regional fusion environment. The city has not enacted a 287(g) jail program but does cooperate when ICE issues administrative detainers on arrestees. Activists have urged adoption of welcoming-city language; the City Council has declined, citing Va. Code Section 15.2-916.2 preemption.
A locality adopting a sanctuary policy faces civil suits, withholding of state grant funding, and potential mandamus orders from the Virginia Attorney General compelling cooperation with federal agencies.
See how Virginia Beach's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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