VA Governor Signs Police Identification Bill, Vetoes ICE Arrest Restrictions Measure

RICHMOND, VA — Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation Wednesday requiring law enforcement officers in Virginia to display identifying badges and restricting the use of facial coverings in most public-facing situations, according to a joint statement released Thursday by Sen. Saddam Salim (D-Fairfax) and Del. Charlie Schmidt (D-Richmond)

The legislation, SB352/HB1482, requires officers to wear badges identifying themselves and the agency employing them. It also prohibits officers from wearing facial coverings in most interactions with the public.

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“Governor Spanberger’s signing of SB352 is an important step toward strengthening transparency and accountability in law enforcement,” Salim said, in the statement. He said the bill “ensures that public employees are clearly identifiable while interacting with the people they serve.”

Schmidt said he supported the governor signing HB1482 “in its original form, as passed by the General Assembly.” He also said lawmakers are focused on “protecting Virginians” and “holding all law enforcement to a high standard of constitutional policing.”

Spanberger Vetos Bill Limiting Warrantless immigration Arrests

On the same day, Spanberger vetoed SB351/HB650, legislation that would have limited warrantless immigration arrests by ICE in courthouses, hospitals, schools and polling places.

Salim and Del. Katrina Callsen criticized the veto in a separate statement. Salim called the decision “a disappointing choice that undermines public safety and accountability in Virginia.” He said the legislation “would have protected Virginians and strengthened trust in our institutions.”

Callsen said the bill would have required ICE agents to have “a judicial warrant and identification when conducting arrests in protected spaces.” She said Virginians “deserve to feel safe taking their child to school, seeking medical care, appearing in court, or exercising their right to vote without fear or intimidation by federal agents.”

In their joint statement, Salim and Callsen said they would continue working on policies related to public safety and immigrant rights following the veto.

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