From Our Community: A Letter of Thank You to Governor Abigail Spanberger on Protecting Virginia Families

To the people of Virginia, to the people of this nation, and to the people of the world:

Today, We write with both gratitude and urgency.

Gratitude—for leadership that recognizes the humanity, dignity, and constitutional rights of every person. And urgency—because the violations of trust, fear, and systemic overreach that so many communities have endured must never be forgotten.

Governor Abigail Spanberger’s directive to end mandatory cooperation between Virginia state law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement represents more than a policy change.It represents a restoration of constitutional balance. It represents a recognition that state law enforcement exists to protect communities—not to infiltrate them, not to violate their sense of safety, and not to erode the trust that is essential to public safety itself.

This directive acknowledges what so many of us have witnessed firsthand: When fear replaces trust, justice is weakened. When communities feel targeted, democracy is weakened.When people live in fear of those sworn to protect them, humanity itself is diminished.

Governor Spanberger affirmed a simple but profound truth: Law enforcement must focus on protecting public safety, upholding constitutional rights, and preserving human life—not acting as agents of fear or instruments of political agendas.

For too long, immigrant communities—Latino communities, Black communities, and vulnerable communities across this nation—have lived with the trauma of uncertainty. Families have been separated. Trust has been broken. The fundamental promise of America—that all people are protected under the Constitution—has been tested.

Today’s action is a step toward restoring that promise.

On behalf of the communities represented and countless civic organizations and advocates, We say:

Thank you for recognizing that constitutional policing is rooted in trust, not fear.Thank you for affirming that Virginia’s law enforcement officers serve the people of Virginia—not federal political agendas.

Thank you for protecting the integrity of our communities and reaffirming the rule of law grounded in justice and humanity.

But this moment is not an endpoint. It is a beginning.

We must remain vigilant. We must remain engaged. We must remain committed to protecting the civil rights, human dignity, and constitutional protections of every person.

Because democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires courage. It requires leadership.And it requires all of us.

To every community member who has lived in fear: your voice matters.

To every advocate who has fought for justice: your work matters.

To every leader who chooses courage over convenience: your leadership matters.

Let this moment serve as a reminder that the arc of justice bends only when people stand up, speak out, and refuse to accept injustice as normal.

We see.

We remember.

And we move forward—together.

With gratitude, with resolve, and with unwavering commitment to human dignity.

— Virginia LULAC

— Politicainfo.com

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About Virginia LULAC

Virginia LULAC is the state chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

Contact:

virginialulacofficial@gmail.com | valulac.org 

About Politicainfo.com

Politica is an election insights company dedicated to providing the most current, data-driven analysis of election trends and voter behavior. By closely tracking statewide and local races including multiple Virginia elections. Politica translates complex political data into clear, actionable intelligence that helps nonprofits, civic organizations, and other partners understand shifting dynamics, make informed decisions, and effectively engage their communities. Through real-time reporting, customized briefings, and expert interpretation of polling and voter information, Politica supports its members and constituents with the analytical tools they need to navigate changing political landscapes with confidence.