Virginia LULAC Celebrates the Passage and Signing of SB 783 and HB 1441 Into Law
- Virginia LULAC
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2026
Virginia LULAC proudly announces the successful passage and signing into law of Senate Bill 783 and House Bill 1441, landmark legislation establishing important protections regarding cooperation between state and local law-enforcement agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement activities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia LULAC was honored to stand alongside a broad coalition of civil rights organizations, immigrant advocacy groups, community leaders, and grassroots advocates who worked tirelessly throughout the 2026 General Assembly session to urge lawmakers to advance these measures and deliver them to Governor Abigail Spanberger for signature. The legislation was officially signed into law on April 22, 2026, and will take effect on July 1, 2026. (Virginia Legislative Information System)
SB 783 and HB 1441 prohibits state and local law-enforcement agencies from maintaining, renewing, or entering into federal immigration enforcement agreements unless such agreements include specific legal protections and accountability measures under Virginia law. The legislation also limits the use of local law-enforcement resources for federal civil immigration enforcement actions aimed solely at identifying, arresting, or penalizing individuals for violations of federal civil immigration law, except in circumstances otherwise required by law, supported by valid judicial warrants or subpoenas, or involving certain violent felony custody transfers. (Virginia Legislative Information System)
The bills are intended to strengthen trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, ensure that local public safety resources remain focused on community safety priorities, and reinforce due process protections throughout the Commonwealth. Supporters of the legislation emphasized that strong community trust in law enforcement improves public safety outcomes for everyone by encouraging victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear. (Bolts)
“Virginia LULAC believes every family deserves dignity, fairness, and equal protection under the law,” said Virginia LULAC leadership. “These bills represent an important step toward ensuring that immigrant communities can safely engage with schools, courts, hospitals, workplaces, and local institutions without fear that routine interactions may escalate into civil immigration enforcement actions.”
Virginia LULAC also recognizes the tremendous amount of work carried out by advocacy organizations and coalition partners across Virginia that mobilized communities, educated lawmakers, organized testimony, and elevated the voices of impacted families throughout the legislative process.
Virginia LULAC extends sincere gratitude to the many organizations and advocates who helped make this legislation possible, including:
Virginia Coalition of Immigrant Rights
Virginia Legal Aid Justice Center
CASA Virginia
Dreamers Mothers in Action
And many more
Virginia LULAC additionally thanks the patrons Senator Saddam Salim and Delegate Alfonso Lopez and legislative supporters of these measures, including members of the Virginia General Assembly who worked collaboratively to advance protections for immigrant and Latino communities throughout the Commonwealth.
This legislation follows broader efforts in Virginia during the 2026 legislative session to redefine the relationship between local governments and federal immigration enforcement agencies, including restrictions on certain forms of ICE cooperation and expanded due process protections. (Virginia Mercury)
“As the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization, LULAC remains committed to advocating for policies that protect civil liberties, strengthen families, uphold constitutional rights, and ensure all Virginians are treated with dignity and respect,” Virginia LULAC stated.
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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.
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