Virginia AG Launches Office To Protect Illegals And Bureaucrats From Federal Accountability

Virginia Attorney General Establishes Legal Unit to Challenge Federal Policies

RICHMOND, Va. – In response to recent federal enforcement actions, Virginia Attorney General Jason M. Miyares announced the creation of a new legal unit designed to challenge what he describes as federal overreach in the Commonwealth.

The office, titled the "Legal Unit to Confront Unprecedented Trump Administration Overreach," was unveiled on the same day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the arrest of more than 1,300 individuals in Virginia and Maryland for violations of immigration law.

The newly formed unit will monitor and potentially litigate against federal policies across multiple domains, including immigration enforcement, environmental regulations, healthcare, election integrity, consumer protection, constitutional rights, tariffs, and workforce policies. The initiative follows a pattern of legal challenges seen in the Eastern District of Virginia, where federal judges have previously blocked executive actions, including restrictions on asylum seekers and data collection on commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders.

Miyares stated that the unit will be prepared to act "when the President attacks our democracy," framing the effort as a defense of state sovereignty against perceived federal intrusion. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement.

In a recent case, a coalition of state attorneys general, including Miyares, successfully blocked a Trump administration effort to obtain data on CDL holders. The move was intended to identify non-English-speaking migrants who may pose safety risks on the nation’s roadways. Last year, a fatal crash in Virginia involving a truck driver with limited English proficiency resulted in five deaths, highlighting concerns over driver competency.

The attorney general has also taken aim at local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Earlier this month, Miyares launched an investigation into Greene County Sheriff Steven Smith following an operation in which local deputies assisted ICE in detaining individuals for deportation. Smith, a Republican who won re-election in a county that voted 24 points in favor of Donald Trump in 2020, defended his actions, stating that he was elected to uphold public safety and that his office was merely executing warrants.

Greene County’s stance reflects a broader divide in Virginia, where some local officials—particularly in Republican-leaning jurisdictions—assert their authority as "constitutional officers" beyond the oversight of the state attorney general.

Critics of Miyares’ initiative argue that the focus on immigration enforcement distracts from broader public safety concerns. A recent report by local outlet WRIC suggested that many individuals detained by ICE in Virginia have no violent criminal records. However, ICE data indicates that among 15,000 arrests in the state since 2017, the largest offense category was driving under the influence of alcohol, an infraction that has resulted in numerous fatalities. Assault charges were the second-most common offense among those detained.

The establishment of the legal unit underscores the ongoing conflict between state and federal authorities in Virginia, particularly on issues of immigration and executive authority. Miyares’ office did not respond to requests for further comment on the scope or timeline of potential legal actions.