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As we await further action from the Governor on legislation passed earlier this year, I would like to take a week to comment on one of the Governor’s most recent executive orders, as well as discuss the President’s address to Congress. On Feb. 27, Governor Youngkin used his executive authority to issue Executive Order 47.

This order directs the Virginia State Police (VSP) to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in its ongoing efforts to deport illegal immigrants in the Commonwealth. This marks a significant step toward strengthening immigration enforcement at the state level.

Illegal immigration was a key issue in the previous presidential administration and played a major role in why our current President was elected. Under the Biden Administration, his policies let fentanyl and dangerous criminals cross our border. This led to countless examples of people like Liken Riley, who was a nursing student killed by a violent illegal immigrant. 

I was glad to see that, within his first 100 days, our president is taking decisive action to address this issue and uphold his promise to the American people by prioritizing the deportation of illegal immigrants. By sending the military down to the border to help out border patrol and other immediate executive actions, border patrol only recorded 29,100 encounters, down from around 47,300 the month prior and significantly lower than in 2024, where there were up to 130,000 encounters in the month of February. I am also especially proud to see our Governor supporting these efforts by deploying Virginia State Police officers to assist in enforcing immigration laws.

What is the impact of Executive Order 47?

I am thrilled to see our Governor follow our President’s leadership and give his own executive order to help the border crisis.  Executive Order 47 has four main impacts: it expands Virginia State Police’s role in immigration enforcement, increases state and federal cooperation, shifts enforcement priorities, and brings operational changes. This means that Virginia State Police officers will now have the authority to perform specific immigration enforcement functions, effectively integrating them into federal efforts. By working alongside federal agents, they will be able to identify, detain, and assist in removing certain non-citizens who are classified as criminal illegal immigrants under federal law.

This executive action is a strong step toward ensuring that our law enforcement agencies are working together to uphold the rule of law. It is reassuring to see that we have a Governor who recognizes the importance of assisting the federal government in this critical issue, ultimately making our Commonwealth safer for Virginia families. For the past four years, the border has been impacting our communities, and finally, something is being done, and it is a breath of fresh air to see that. 

Secondly, I would like to take a week to comment on the President’s address to Congress. I was more than impressed with what the President had outlined in his speech. “America is back” and it truly feels that way. There were plenty of positives in the speech and it was disappointing to see the other side of the aisle not support these policies. They wouldn’t even stand up and support a child who had brain cancer simply because he idolized law enforcement. As a state legislator, there is not much direct influence I have on national politics, but many of the issues discussed will have a significant impact on us at the state and local levels. His speech set the tone for the positive direction of our country. The policies he discussed will not only guide federal decision-making but will also create ripple effects that we will feel here in Virginia.

‘I stand with our President’

I stand with our President as he has laid out his plan to revitalize American manufacturing, cut wasteful government spending to curb inflation, utilize American energy resources to lower fuel costs, and restore a “peace through strength” approach to foreign policy. Each of these initiatives addresses major concerns that affect both our economy and national security.

Although the opposition was vocal in their disagreement, I firmly believe that these actions will not only benefit Virginia but our nation as a whole. Restoring manufacturing jobs will create new opportunities for American workers, and reducing excessive government spending will help stabilize our economy. Additionally, ensuring energy independence and reinforcing our global leadership will put America back on a path toward long-term prosperity.

My staff and I are always here to assist you with any issues or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can be of service. You can reach us at 434.374.5129 or by email at senatormulchi@senate.virginia.gov