Virginia Attorney General Faces Criticism Over Immigration Enforcement Disputes

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is facing sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers over two separate disputes tied to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore has accused Jones’ office of obstruction, claiming Democratic state leadership refuses cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The disputes center on a civil rights investigation into Greene County Sheriff Steve Smith’s traffic-stop practices and a lawsuit challenging federal access to commercial driver records.

Jones’ Office of Civil Rights launched an investigation into Greene County Sheriff’s Office operations, notifying Smith that his deputies may have violated state law and constitutional protections during traffic stops conducted with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency demanded records related to immigration enforcement policies, training materials and interagency agreements. Smith’s deputies have participated in multiple ICE operations in the rural county, which sits along major transportation corridors including U.S. 29 and U.S. 33.

One June operation near the intersection of U.S. 29 and U.S. 33 resulted in 49 people being detained by ICE. A May operation in nearby Ruckersville led to 26 arrests, including a man identified by the Department of Homeland Security as an MS-13 gang member from Honduras. Smith previously defended his deputies’ practices, stating they apply the same reasonable-suspicion standards used for all traffic stops, with common violations including speeding and failure to maintain lanes.

The investigation reflects a broader shift in Virginia’s immigration policy under Governor Abigail Spanberger. On her first day in office, Spanberger rescinded former Governor Glenn Youngkin’s order encouraging ICE cooperation and later signed a law restricting state and local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement. The April 22 law was sponsored by Democratic Delegate Alfonso Lopez of Arlington.

Smith indicated he will continue assisting ICE despite the new law after consulting with Republican Delegate Karen Hamilton. Local activists have accused deputies of racial profiling, while Smith maintained that speeding and traffic violations provide the legal basis for initiating stops. Smith declined to comment to Fox News Digital, citing his retention of legal counsel.

Kilgore and other Republicans have framed the dispute as political opposition to Trump rather than legitimate civil rights concerns. Former Delegate Nick Freitas called the investigation an inappropriate targeting of law enforcement, while former Delegate Kim Taylor characterized Jones’ actions as hypocritical given his previous controversial text messages about a political opponent.

Jones also joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s demand for bulk transfer of commercial driver records covering approximately 17 million drivers. The Department of Transportation is using the records to identify drivers unable to meet English-language requirements or illegal immigrant truckers involved in deadly accidents. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga, a George W. Bush appointee, temporarily blocked the bulk transfer.

An ICE spokesperson confirmed the operations and emphasized that partnerships with law enforcement are essential for immigration enforcement efforts. The agency stated that when politicians restrict local law enforcement cooperation, federal agents must increase visible enforcement activities. All detained individuals were transported to ICE facilities for processing and remain in custody pending removal proceedings.