Virginia LULAC Urges Governor Abigail Spanberger to Sign HB 650 and SB 351 Into Law
- Virginia LULAC
- May 19
- 4 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Virginia LULAC Urges Governor Abigail Spanberger to Sign HB 650 and SB 351 Into Law
Virginia LULAC, the Virginia chapter of the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights advocacy organization, proudly supports House Bill 650 and Senate Bill 351 and strongly urges Governor Abigail Spanberger to sign these bills into law in their original form, without further amendment or delay.
These bills represent a critical step toward ensuring that the Commonwealth of Virginia remains a place rooted in justice, public safety, constitutional protections, community trust, and human dignity. Virginia LULAC believes that every Virginian — regardless of immigration status, background, or zip code — should be able to safely access schools, hospitals, courthouses, polling places, and public institutions without fear of unjust civil immigration enforcement actions.
HB 650 and SB 351 establish commonsense protections that prohibit certain federal civil immigration enforcement activities in protected areas unless federal agents present a valid judicial warrant or judicial subpoena approved by a judge. These protections apply to courthouses, schools, healthcare facilities, hospitals, institutions of higher education, polling places, and offices of Commonwealth’s Attorneys.
At their core, these bills are about protecting constitutional due process, preserving public confidence in public institutions, and ensuring that all Virginians feel safe participating in civic life.
No person should fear seeking medical care for themselves or their children because they worry about being targeted for a civil immigration arrest. No student should fear going to school. No victim, witness, or family member should avoid a courthouse because they fear being detained while attempting to access the justice system. And no eligible voter should fear intimidation or enforcement activity while exercising their constitutional right to vote.
These protections are essential to maintaining both public safety and public trust.
Virginia LULAC applauds the Virginia General Assembly for standing firm in support of these protections and for rejecting amendments that would have weakened the legislation’s effectiveness. We are grateful to the legislators who recognized that protecting access to schools, healthcare, courts, and democratic institutions is not a partisan issue; it is a human rights issue and a public safety issue.
Virginia LULAC proudly thanks the bill patrons and steadfast allies of the Latino community, Senator Saddam Azlan Salim and Delegate Katrina Callsen, for their leadership, courage, and unwavering support of HB 650 and SB 351.
We also extend our gratitude to the Virginia General Assembly and all legislators who stood firm in defense of due process, public safety, constitutional protections, and the dignity of all Virginians. Their leadership helped protect access to schools, hospitals, courthouses, colleges, and polling places without fear or intimidation.
Virginia LULAC is grateful for leaders who continue to stand as guardians of justice, fairness, constitutional rights, and protections for all people across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The General Assembly’s decision to reject proposed amendments and send the bills back in their original form demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to meaningful protections for Virginia families and communities.
The legislation specifically requires federal immigration authorities to obtain judicial authorization before conducting civil immigration arrests in protected spaces and creates accountability measures for unlawful enforcement actions. Individuals wrongfully subjected to unlawful arrests would have legal remedies available to them, and the Attorney General would have authority to seek broader enforcement protections when violations occur.
Virginia has long prided itself on being a welcoming and diverse Commonwealth. Governor Spanberger herself has stated in the past that “Virginia is a welcome place for all.” Virginia LULAC now calls on the Governor to fully uphold that promise by signing HB 650 and SB 351 into law.
Communities across Virginia are watching closely. Latino families, immigrant families, students, workers, faith communities, civil rights advocates, educators, healthcare professionals, and voters all deserve to know that Virginia’s public institutions remain places of safety and access, not fear and intimidation.
These bills do not prevent lawful criminal enforcement, nor do they obstruct legitimate judicial processes. Instead, they reinforce longstanding constitutional principles by ensuring that sensitive public spaces are protected from warrantless civil immigration enforcement activity absent judicial oversight.
Virginia LULAC believes that a stronger Virginia is built when all people can participate fully in civic and community life without fear. Public trust in schools, hospitals, courts, and elections strengthens the Commonwealth as a whole.
We therefore respectfully and strongly urge Governor Abigail Spanberger to sign HB 650 and SB 351 into law and stand with the values of fairness, due process, public safety, dignity, and equal justice under the law.
Virginia deserves to remain a Commonwealth that protects its people, respects constitutional rights, and ensures that every resident can safely access essential institutions and services.
Virginia LULAC stands firmly in support of these protections and in solidarity with all Virginians who believe in justice, dignity, and the rule of law.
TAKE ACTION — CONTACT GOVERNOR SPANBERGER TODAY
Please call the Governor’s Office and urge Governor Abigail Spanberger to SIGN HB 650 & SB 351 INTO LAW.
Tell the Governor that Virginians support protecting access to schools, hospitals, courthouses, and polling places without fear or intimidation.
📞 Call the Governor’s Office: 804-786-2211
📧 Email Governor Spanberger: Abigail.Spanberger@governor.virginia.gov
✍️ Sign the Letter to the Governor: Take Action Here
Stand with Virginia families. Stand for due process. Stand for justice.
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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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