The Fight

GOP Sheriff Michael (Mike) Chapman of Loudoun County (FIPS 51107) enrolled his office in ICE’s 287(g) program. Residents have packed Board of Supervisors meetings demanding accountability and an end to the sheriff’s ICE collaboration (organizing led in part by New Virginia Majority).

The leverage point is Senate Bill 783, which became law April 22, 2026 after the General Assembly accepted Gov. Spanberger’s recommended amendment (clarifying jails may still honor ICE detainers). SB 783 imposes new conditions on local ICE partnerships. A spokesperson for Sheriff Chapman acknowledged SB 783 “may preclude a 287(g) agreement with our jail” — unless ICE starts seeking judicial warrants, “which so far does not appear likely.” In other words, the law functions as a de facto ban because ICE is expected to reject its conditions.

Key Details

• State vs. local split: Spanberger’s February 2026 executive directive ended 287(g) for state agencies only (Virginia State Police, Dept. of Corrections, Dept. of Wildlife Resources, Marine Resources Commission). It did not reach local sheriffs — roughly 22 Virginia sheriffs remained in 287(g). SB 783 is the legislative vehicle aimed at the local agreements.
• Mechanism: SB 783 is not a literal ban; it conditions local ICE cooperation on terms (including judicial warrants) the Trump DHS is expected to refuse, functionally ending the agreements.
• Why it matters: Loudoun is the marquee test of whether Virginia’s legislative squeeze actually unwinds local 287(g) deals. A Republican sheriff in a Democratic-trending NoVa county, under organized constituent pressure plus a new state law, is the case to watch for the SB 783 mechanism in practice.

Sources

• Bolts: Virginia Is Banning ICE Contracts, Unless the Feds Agree to Obey the Law
• Bolts: Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now
• New Virginia Majority: Loudoun Residents Demand End to Sheriff’s ICE Collaboration
• WRIC: Bills limiting ICE cooperation clear General Assembly