Virginia LULAC Endorses SB 783 & HB 1441 to Protect Community Safety and Fiscal Responsibility

March 1, 2026

Senator Saddam Salim Delegate Alfonso Lopez

Virginia LULAC proudly announces its strong support and heartfelt appreciation for the introduction and advancement of Virginia Senate Bill 783 and House Bill 1441 in the 2026 General Assembly session. These companion bills have been authored to rein in and provide guardrails around state and local law-enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities represent critical protections for all Virginians and reaffirm the Commonwealth’s commitment to public safety, civil rights, and community trust.

SB 783 (Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax) — Law-enforcement agencies; agreements with federal authority for immigration enforcement — would require restrictions and enforceable provisions on any agreement between Virginia law enforcement and federal agencies, including requirements for prior notice, compliance with state law, clear identification of federal agents, and limitations on enforcement in sensitive locations such as schools, faith-based institutions, and courthouses.

HB 1441 (Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington) — Law-enforcement agencies; agreements with federal authority for immigration enforcement — specifically prohibits law enforcement from assisting with federal immigration enforcement absent a valid judicial warrant, and mandates safeguards such as advanced notice of participating federal agents and clear identity requirements.

These bills are part of a broader effort by the General Assembly to protect communities from the diversion of local resources to federal immigration enforcement activities, to preserve local policing priorities, and to ensure that law enforcement focuses on public safety without compromising civil liberties.

Virginia LULAC extends its deepest gratitude to the patrons and supporters of these important bills:

SB 783 Patrons:

Saddam Azlan Salim (Chief Patron)

Jennifer B. Boysko (Chief Co-Patron)

Adam P. Ebbin

Barbara A. Favola

Stella G. Pekarsky

Kannan Srinivasan

Angelia Williams Graves

HB 1441 Patrons:

Alfonso H. Lopez (Chief Patron)

Katrina Callsen (Chief Co-Patron)

Dan I. Helmer (Chief Co-Patron)

Irene Shin (Chief Co-Patron)

Jessica L. Anderson

Bonita G. Anthony

Alex Q. Askew

Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker

Gretchen M. Bulova

Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie

Betsy B. Carr

Stacey Annie Carroll

Nadarius E. Clark

Laura Jane Cohen

Joshua G. Cole

Nicole Cole

Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler

Rae Cousins

Karrie K. Delaney

Lindsey Dougherty

Michael B. Feggans

Margaret A. Franklin

Debra D. Gardner

Jackie H. Glass

C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.

Rozia A. Henson, Jr.

Phil M. Hernandez

Charniele L. Herring

Patrick A. Hope

Karen Keys-Gamarra

Paul E. Krizek

Amy J. Laufer

Destiny LeVere Bolling

Michelle Lopes Maldonado

Marty Martinez

Adele Y. McClure

Garrett McGuire

Delores L. McQuinn

May Nivar

Marcia S. "Cia" Price

Sam Rasoul

Atoosa R. Reaser

Charlie Schmidt

Holly M. Seibold

Briana D. Sewell

Marcus B. Simon

Shelly A. Simonds

Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.

Joshua E. Thomas

Virgil Thornton

Kathy K.L. Tran

Jeion A. Ward

Vivian E. Watts

Rodney T. Willett

Virginia LULAC is grateful for the leadership of Senator Salim and Delegate Lopez in championing these reforms, as well as all legislators who have voted to advance this legislation. Their work helps ensure that state and local law enforcement resources are not used to enforce federal immigration law in ways that undermine civil rights, erode trust in public safety institutions, or burden Virginia taxpayers without adequate oversight or accountability.

Despite positive action at the state level—including Governor Abigail Spanberger’s executive directives ending certain cooperation agreements—localities across Virginia continue to enter into immigration enforcement agreements that divert funds, personnel, and focus from core public safety priorities. These agreements have implications for community trust, public safety reporting, and the equitable treatment of all Virginians.

We urge the newly elected Governor, Abigail Spanberger, to sign these bills when they reach her desk. Virginia LULAC supports a ban on all ICE immigration-enforcement agreements within the Commonwealth. It is essential that we put the brakes on local law-enforcement actions that circumvent the will of the people and the authority of the state legislature. Law-enforcement policies should be established through transparent legislative processes, not through informal agreements that bypass duly elected representatives.

Virginia LULAC supports the passage of SB 783 and HB 1441 and urges both chambers of the General Assembly to enact these bills into law. These measures will help ensure that Virginia’s law-enforcement agencies serve all Virginians fairly and justly and that taxpayer dollars are spent on local public safety needs—not on enforcement that should remain within federal jurisdiction.

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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