HB 1441: Law Enforcement & Federal Immigration Enforcement
🔴 THREAT LEVEL: HIGH
BILL SNAPSHOT
Bill Number: HB 1441
Bill Patron: Del. Alfonso H. Lopez (D)
Bill Area: Immigration / Public Safety / State / Federal Authority
Who This Bill Affects: Local law-enforcement agencies, sheriffs, police departments, local governments, and Virginia communities
QUICK SUMMARY
HB 1441 says that Virginia law-enforcement officers cannot help federal authorities enforce immigration law.
That means local police and sheriffs cannot:
- Assist federal immigration operations
- Share information for immigration enforcement
- Cooperate in actions led by federal immigration officials
However, there are exceptions.
Local law enforcement can cooperate if:
- Federal law specifically requires it
- They are given a valid judicial warrant
- They receive a judicial subpoena
In short, unless there is a court order or another law requiring cooperation, local officers are restricted from helping federal immigration enforcement.
Supporters argue the bill prevents local police from being turned into federal immigration agents.
RALLY ANALYSIS
HB 1441 significantly limits cooperation between Virginia’s local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
Supporters argue the bill prevents local police from being turned into federal immigration agents.
Opponents argue the bill restricts law enforcement’s flexibility and creates barriers to cooperation that may affect public safety operations.
The key issue is whether local departments should have discretion to work with federal authorities; or whether the General Assembly should prohibit that cooperation except under narrow court-authorized circumstances.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- It restricts how local law enforcement can coordinate with federal immigration officials
- It may impact how immigration-related detainers and operations are handled
- It raises concerns about public safety coordination across agencies
- It changes the balance between state policy and federal immigration enforcement
RALLY VERDICT: ❌ OPPOSE
HB 1432 dramatically weakens consequences for underage alcohol and marijuana use and limits law-enforcement authority.
Rally Virginia believes education and prevention matter, but accountability matters too.
Virginia families deserve policies that reinforce responsibility, not reduce it to a paper warning.
RALLY RADAR — THREAT LEVEL LEGEND
⚫ CRITICAL THREAT — Immediate and severe harm; must be stopped
🔴 HIGH THREAT — Serious risk to safety, liberty, or governance
🟡 MODERATE THREAT — Concerning but limited scope
🟢 LOW THREAT — Minimal impact or symbolic
