Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is set to unveil a budget proposal aimed at prohibiting "sanctuary cities" within the state. The proposal will also ensure that state tax revenue is not allocated to counties or independent cities that fail to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The proposed legislation mandates that local law enforcement and correctional officers comply with ICE detainer requests for illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. It also requires notification of the federal government within 48 hours of the release of any such individual who passes through the justice system. Furthermore, municipalities that declare themselves as sanctuary cities or implement similar policies will face the withholding of state funding typically designated for their police departments.

The Department of Criminal Justice Services, under the leadership of Youngkin appointee and former Prince William County Officer Jackson Miller, will be responsible for withholding this funding, often referred to as "599 Funding."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Governor Youngkin emphasized the importance of ensuring that criminals who are in the United States illegally are handed over to ICE. He stressed the need to halt the cycle of violence and crime he believes is facilitated by some local governments. Youngkin reiterated that Virginia is not a sanctuary state and that his administration will actively prevent localities from becoming sanctuaries for illegal immigrants. He warned that local governments that choose to support pro-illegal immigrant groups will face the consequence of losing state taxpayer assistance.

This announcement comes in the wake of recent violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in Virginia, including the sexual assault of a jogger on the Old Dominion Trail in Herndon. Critics have pointed to Fairfax County's sanctuary-like policies as a contributing factor, citing the case of Denis Humberto Navarette-Romero, a Honduran national charged with the assault. Navarette-Romero had prior arrests for auto theft and indecent exposure.

Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid’s 2018 policy requires a legal criminal detainer alongside administrative requests to hold inmates past their release dates. Data indicates that only a small fraction of undocumented individuals in Fairfax County custody were transferred to ICE between July 2023 and July 2024. Similarly, Arlington County recently adopted a policy limiting ICE notification to cases involving gang members or very serious crimes.

Other localities in Virginia, including Alexandria and Richmond, have also implemented policies that limit cooperation with ICE. These policies often involve refraining from inquiries about citizenship status beyond what is mandated by state and federal law.

Despite these local policies, Virginia state officials maintain that the Department of Corrections has consistently recognized ICE detainers throughout Governor Youngkin's term. Incoming Trump border czar Tom Homan has pledged a "mass deportation" initiative and issued warnings to sanctuary cities about enforcing compliance with federal immigration law.