VIRGINIA (DC News Now) — Virginia is not a sanctuary state and sanctuary cities will not be allowed in the commonwealth, that’s the recent message from Governor Glenn Youngkin.
A former Virginia delegate called Youngkin’s announcement a political move.
“Congratulations to Governor Youngkin. This was the start of the 2025 election season. Every year we have an election season. The entire state house is going to be up for election. The Senate is up for election. The gubernatorial seat is up for election in 2025. And this was the beginning of the election season,” said David Ramadan, Professor of Practice at Schar School of Policy and Government who also served in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Youngkin threatened localities will lose state funding if they claim to be sanctuary cities or put in practices preventing cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The governor said he would make this budget proposal to Virginia’s General Assembly.
“Everybody is against crime whether by illegal aliens or by Americans. If an illegal immigrant commits a crime, they should be deported. I don’t think that is a political issue or a partisan issue. However, it is an issue that makes for good campaigning,” said Ramadan
Ramadan said crime by undocumented immigrants isn’t a prevalent issue.
“Crime by aliens is not a major issue in Virginia as it is in the rest of the country. Research institute shows consistently that crime by aliens is actually at a lower rate than crime by natives,” said Ramadan.
Will the governor’s proposal stand a chance with Virginia’s General Assembly?
“Its the legislature that has the power of appropriations. What the governor is going to do is here try to do an amendment to the budget when the general assemble gets back in town in a few weeks which will fail because a majority of the assembly is held by the democrats,” said Ramadan.
