Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is under scrutiny due to two contentious issues related to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. These disputes involve a civil rights investigation into traffic-stop practices by a rural sheriff who collaborates with ICE, and a legal challenge concerning federal access to commercial driver records.
Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore has criticized what he perceives as the Democratic leadership’s reluctance to cooperate with Trump. Jones announced an investigation into Greene County Sheriff Steve Smith, prompting Kilgore to remark on the administration’s approach towards Trump. Kilgore argued, “They are so mad at Trump, they want to make sure they don’t cooperate with Trump in any area whatsoever, making it unsafe for Virginians.”
Jones’ Office of Civil Rights informed Smith of the investigation into allegations against Greene County Sheriff’s Office concerning traffic-stop practices and cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Kilgore commended the Greene County sheriff for collaborating with ICE to ensure illegal immigrants are not committing crimes on roads, unlike Jones, who he accused of targeting sheriffs over immigration issues.
Under Governor Abigail Spanberger, Virginia has witnessed changes in its immigration enforcement strategy. Spanberger, who endorsed Jones, reversed former Governor Glenn Youngkin’s order promoting ICE cooperation on her first day in office. She later approved a law limiting state and local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement.
Smith’s deputies have engaged in speed enforcement operations alongside ICE, notable for Greene County being a rural area situated along major transportation routes like U.S. 29 and U.S. 33. A significant operation led to the detention of 49 people by ICE, involving routes connecting Washington, D.C., and Charlottesville.
In a May operation in Ruckersville, 26 arrests were made, including a man identified by DHS as an MS-13 gang member. Despite accusations of racial profiling from local activists, Smith asserted that his deputies use reasonable suspicion, focusing on offenses like speeding and running red lights.
Among criticisms, former Delegate Nick Freitas commented, “The Virginia AG is going after a cop for doing actual cop things.” Smith refrained from commenting to Fox News Digital, citing legal counsel but expressed a commitment to assist ICE future operations.
State Senator Creigh Deeds expressed disappointment over the issue, acknowledging the need for people to come legally to fulfill work needs. Former Delegate Kim Taylor denounced Jones’ actions given past controversial statements about former House Speaker Todd Gilbert. The “two bullets” scandal nearly damaged Jones’ campaign.
Jones is also embroiled in a lawsuit opposing the Trump administration’s request for commercial driver records transfer, concerning 17 million drivers. He lauded Judge Anthony Trenga for temporarily blocking this transfer, emphasizing privacy protection for commercial drivers.
An ICE spokesperson confirmed the recent operation in Ruckersville and the detention of 49 illegal immigrants. ICE stated the importance of law enforcement partnerships to arrest illegal aliens. Kilgore further criticized the lawsuit as a hostile gesture toward the administration, arguing the Democrats’ opposition to activities ensuring highway safety.
Fox News Digital’s Hannah Brennan, based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.
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