Illegal immigration has emerged as a pivotal issue in the 2024 election, yet Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate vying for the governorship of Virginia, appears to dismiss its significance.
In a video making rounds on social media, Spanberger expressed her dismay, labeling it "horrifying" that the current administration treats illegal border crossings as a criminal offense. This stance seems to overlook the fundamental reality that such actions contravene federal immigration laws, a fact that Democrats often appear to struggle with.
According to Gateway Pundit, this contentious viewpoint is contributing to the tight race for governor in Virginia. Should Spanberger secure victory, it is anticipated she will revert to the Democratic status quo, disregarding the clear mandate on immigration from the 2024 election.
She has already pledged to dismantle much of the progress achieved by the current Republican Governor, Glenn Youngkin, on this front.
The Virginia Mercury reported in August that Spanberger intends to revoke Youngkin's immigration directive if she assumes office. This directive, issued in February, mandates Virginia law enforcement to assist in federal immigration enforcement, a policy Spanberger criticizes as a drain on local resources and a threat to community trust.
"I would rescind his executive order, yes," Spanberger stated in an interview with The Mercury, referencing Youngkin's Executive Order 47. This order empowered state police and corrections officers to undertake specific immigration duties and encouraged local jails to cooperate fully with federal deportation efforts.
Governor Youngkin defended the measure, asserting it was designed to keep "dangerous criminal illegal immigrants" off Virginia's streets. Spanberger, however, argues that Youngkin's strategy exemplifies how immigration enforcement can divert local agencies from their primary responsibilities, while also entangling state agencies in federal civil enforcement.
"Our immigration system is absolutely broken," she remarked. "The idea that we would take local police officers or local sheriffs deputies in amid all the things that they have to do, like community policing or staffing our jails or investigating real crimes, so that they can go and tear families apart that is a misuse of those resources."
For Virginians who prioritize the issue of illegal immigration, the upcoming November election presents a stark choice. Spanberger's approach suggests a return to Democratic policies that many believe have failed to address the complexities of immigration effectively.
Meanwhile, the Republican stance, as embodied by Governor Youngkin, emphasizes stringent enforcement and prioritizing public safety, aligning with the conservative values of limited government intervention and individual responsibility.
Login