Learn how the Richmond County Sheriff’s 287(g) agreement with ICE works, how it may affect the community, and what recent changes in Virginia law mean for localities.
The purpose of the nationwide 287(g) program, named for a specific provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), is to expand collaboration between state and local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities, permitting local agencies to enforce federal immigration laws.
Through this program, designated state and local law enforcement officers are trained and authorized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to perform specific immigration enforcement functions.
There are three different models of the program, each with varying degrees of authority given to local law enforcement officers depending on the agreement they have with ICE. Under most 287(g) agreements in Virginia, law enforcement agencies nominate officers with at least two years of experience on the force, who are then given a roughly week-long online training on U.S. immigration law. Once the training has been satisfactorily completed (meaning a grade of C- or higher), the officers are then deputized to perform certain immigration enforcement functions, such as interrogating and detaining people, without direct ICE oversight.
While Governor Spanberger ended statewide agencies’ cooperation with ICE and encouraged localities to do the same shortly after taking office, there are roughly 23 local jurisdictions in the Commonwealth that chose to maintain the 287(g) agreements already in place. Richmond County is one of those local jurisdictions.
Want to learn more? Explore our investigation into ICE agreements and contracts across Virginia, including maps, public records, and findings from our ongoing research.
Community Impacts
The presence of 287(g) agreements in Virginia undermines public safety by creating heightened fear and distrust of law enforcement. Individuals may be less likely to report crimes, seek out needed services, or otherwise cooperate with law enforcement out of fear of being questioned about their immigration status or reported to federal immigration authorities.
There have been concerns raised about racial profiling and discrimination as a result of the 287(g) program. People in Richmond County, including those who are lawful permanent residents or citizens, may be targeted based on their perceived immigration status or because they may be foreign-born, leading to violations of their civil rights.
Where there are 287(g) agreements, law enforcement priorities are not set solely based on the needs and concerns of local communities; instead, federal immigration priorities factor in as well. This is particularly true where the receipt of federal funds is conditioned on detailed accounts of time spent on ICE activities.
In most agreements, the federal government offers no guarantee of support should an officer be caught violating the law. The lack of training on the complex immigration system and U.S. immigration law opens localities up to the risk of lawsuits, costing taxpayers.
Recent Changes in Virginia Law
- Overall, the 287(g) program has had a significant impact on immigrant communities in Virginia and across the United States, leading to increased fear and distrust of law enforcement, concerns about racial profiling and discrimination, diversion of resources from local priorities, and increased potential liability for localities.
- During Virginia’s most recent legislative session, the General Assembly successfully passed HB 1441 into law, which places limits on Virginia localities’ ability to openly collaborate with ICE and also requires certain provisions to be included in any 287(g) agreements.
- The deadline for localities with existing 287(g) agreements to amend their contracts is September 1, 2026.
Community Listening Session
With support from Interracial Conversations of the Northern Neck, Indivisible Middle Peninsula, and the Legal Aid Justice Center, a coalition of immigrant community members called Unión y Fuerza (Unity and Strength) is working to bring awareness to the broader community in the Northern Neck about the agreement the Richmond County Sheriff has with ICE.
We are hosting an information and listening session. Please join us if you would like to learn more about 287(g), share any personal experiences you may have with immigration enforcement, and connect with other concerned community members.
To register for the listening session and receive the event details, please fill out the form below:
