DHS Urges Virginia Governor Spanberger to Reverse Sanctuary Policies Amid Fairfax County Murder Charges

RICHMOND, VA — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urged Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday to reverse the state's sanctuary policies. This call came amid murder charges against several undocumented immigrants in Fairfax County in 2026. Spanberger did not address questions on whether she would consider the DHS request during an event in Richmond.

DHS stated in a social media post that Spanberger should end policies allowing undocumented immigrants on Virginia streets and cooperate with federal authorities to protect residents. The agency noted that three of four suspects charged with murders in Fairfax County this year are undocumented immigrants.

Virginia, particularly Fairfax County, has seen multiple deadly incidents involving such suspects.

this month, authorities charged 28-year-old Misael Lopez Gomez, a Guatemalan national, with the murder of his 3-month-old daughter.

In a related case, 38-year-old Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, also from Guatemala, was charged with fatally stabbing a man in his home. Additionally, 32-year-old Abdul Jalloh, a Sierra Leone national and repeat offender, was charged with stabbing a victim to death at a bus stop in February. Spanberger did not comment on the DHS figure regarding the suspects' immigration status.

The incidents have drawn attention to Fairfax County's policies on immigration enforcement. Local authorities handled the arrests, but federal involvement in removals depends on coordination.

the start of her term, Spanberger joined other Democratic governors, including California's Gavin Newsom and Illinois' J.

B. Pritzker, in limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration efforts. On January 17, she rescinded requirements for local-federal coordination on immigration matters. Spanberger stated that Virginia's resources should focus on state and local laws rather than federal civil immigration enforcement.

" — Governor Abigail Spanberger (via press release, as reported by Fox News) She added that federal authorities should handle federal civil immigration laws, while state law enforcement prioritizes resident safety, state laws, and coordination on criminal matters. This policy reversed cooperation measures implemented under former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.

another incident, 19-year-old Israel Flores Ortiz faces nine counts of assault and battery for groping approximately 12 girls at a Fairfax County high school, according to reports from 7News.

Victims and parents described Ortiz approaching girls in hallways and groping them. DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis called on Fairfax County officials not to release Ortiz, citing risks to communities. Bis criticized Spanberger's policy change as prioritizing undocumented immigrants over citizens.

DHS explained to Fox News Digital that the agency relies on local partnerships for detaining and removing individuals like Gomez, Muy, and Jalloh. An agency spokesperson noted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can only detain such individuals for removal purposes. The situation underscores tensions between state sanctuary policies and federal immigration enforcement.

Affected parties include Fairfax County residents, victims' families, and local law enforcement balancing resources. Future steps may involve legislative reviews or court outcomes in the pending cases.