Virginia Governor Spanberger faces DHS criticism over immigration policies

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is facing intense criticism following a fatal stabbing spree in Staunton, Virginia, allegedly carried out by Freddi Chigo Mil, an undocumented Mexican immigrant. Mil faces charges of second-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding after one woman was killed and another was injured in the attack.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer requesting that Governor Spanberger not release Mil from local custody to ensure his eventual removal from the country. The controversy is heightened by Spanberger’s previous executive order rescinding local resource allocation for civil immigration enforcement, a move that has placed her administration at odds with federal authorities.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized the state’s sanctuary-friendly policies, stating, “this is what the Commonwealth of Virginia has become under the sanctuary policies of Gov. Abigail Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians.” The Department of Homeland Security further escalated the tension by posting on social media, accusing the administration of releasing “murderers” and “terrorists” into the community.