Glenn Youngkin to defund Virginia 'sanctuary' cities that refuse to cooperate with ICE deportations

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has put sanctuary cities in the state on notice, promising to end their state funding if they do not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Youngkin made the announcement on Fox, where he spoke of legislation he put into motion last week that will require all local law enforcement to work with ICE and federal authorities concerning the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants.

After citing recent violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in Virginia, he stated, “If you don't cooperate with ICE when there's a detainer in place, I'm going to go to work and take your funding away in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are not a sanctuary state. We will not, we will no longer allow this to happen, and we're going to work together to make sure that we keep Virginians safe."

According to a statement released by Youngkin's office on Dec 12, the governor announced “a 'No Sanctuary Cities' budget proposal to require local law enforcement, sheriffs, and jail directors to fully comply with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers and provide notification to ICE 48 hours prior to the release of an illegal immigrant who commits a crime. Additionally, funding will be withheld from localities that purport to be 'sanctuary' cities, or enact practices impeding cooperation with ICE."

Youngkin said in the release, “Criminals who are in the United States illegally will be turned over to ICE. We must stop the cycle of violence and crime that is being enabled by some local governments."

In Virginia, there have been recent cases of illegal immigrants with extensive criminal histories getting released from jail and later committing other crimes. In late November, Denis Humberto Naverrette Romero, 31, was charged with abduction with the intent to rape when he allegedly took someone from a Virginia trail. Romero had a long criminal history and was an illegal immigrant and had been released by Fairfax County authorities, per Fox News.

ICE has accused Fairfax County officials and law enforcement of not honoring multiple ICE detainer requests in the state of Virginia, according to ABC7.