Democrat Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger was caught on camera running away from a reporter asking about whether she would reverse her sanctuary policies and begin cooperating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove dangerous illegal aliens from the state.
Spanberger turned away without comment as a reporter pressed her on Fairfax County’s sanctuary policies and repeated calls from federal immigration authorities.
The reporter specifically asked about discontinuing sanctuary practices in light of DHS data showing that three out of every four murder defendants in Fairfax County murder trials this year are illegal aliens.
WATCH:
HOLY CRAP. Leftist Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger just RAN AWAY when asked if she will finally hand over violent, dangerous illegal aliens to DHS
She’s already allowed multiple Americans to be killed by illegals under her tenure.
The most UNPOPULAR VA gov this CENTURY.… pic.twitter.com/x7qiAUGrDi
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 8, 2026
DHS has directly urged Spanberger to end policies that shield criminal illegal aliens.
In an April X post, the agency stated, “Of the four defendants in Fairfax County murder trials this year, THREE are ILLEGAL ALIENS. Governor Spanberger must end her sanctuary policies that allow these illegal aliens onto our streets and work with DHS to protect the citizens of the commonwealth.”
Of the four defendants in Fairfax County murder trials this year, THREE are ILLEGAL ALIENS.
Governor Spanberger must end her sanctuary policies that allow these illegal aliens onto our streets and work with DHS to protect the citizens of the commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/gY6jwSSARs
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 2, 2026
One of Spanberger’s first official actions after taking office was to terminate all 287(g) agreements in Virginia.
These agreements had allowed state and local law enforcement to partner with ICE to identify and hand over criminal illegal aliens in custody.
Spanberger has also supported legislation that would further restrict local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including requirements for judicial warrants before honoring ICE detainers.
Fairfax County, a known sanctuary jurisdiction, has seen a string of high-profile violent crimes allegedly committed by illegal aliens under Spanberger’s tenure.
In February, Stephanie Minter, 41, was stabbed to death at a bus stop by Abdul Jalloh, an illegal alien from Sierra Leone with more than 30 prior arrests.
Fairfax County officials released him despite an ICE detainer.
In March, Misael Lopez Gomez, who illegally crossed the border in July 2023, was accused of murdering his three-month-old daughter. DHS issued a detainer requesting that he not be released.
“This cold-blooded killer murdered his own three-month-old daughter. We are calling on Governor Spanberger to commit to not releasing this barbaric animal from jail into Virginia communities,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This monster should have never been allowed in our country by the Biden administration. We need cooperation from sanctuary politicians to stop criminals from being released from jail to perpetrate more crimes and create more innocent victims.”
Also in March, Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, a Guatemalan illegal alien, was charged with second-degree murder after repeatedly stabbing a man.
DHS has highlighted multiple other killings linked to illegal aliens in Fairfax, including a mob murder and MS-13-related executions.
The agency has stated that illegal aliens accounted for 75% of murder defendants in the county this year.
DHS has repeatedly called on Spanberger and Fairfax officials not to release these individuals back into communities, citing the county’s refusal to honor over 1,150 ICE detainers in recent years.
A new Washington Post-Schar School poll shows Spanberger’s job approval rating at just 47% approve to 46% disapprove after only a few months in office, the highest early-term disapproval rating for any Virginia governor since polling began in the 1990s.
Critics argue that her shift from a centrist campaign image to left-leaning governance on issues such as immigration and redistricting has alienated her constituents.
The post WATCH: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger Runs Away from Reporter Asking If She’ll Finally Turn Violent Criminal Illegal Aliens Over to DHS appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.