Hours after Virginia Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger was sworn in Saturday, she repealed an executive order signed by her Republican predecessor, Glenn Youngkin, that required local and state police to cooperate with federal immigration officers.
The move was hailed by anti-ICE activists of CASA In Action, who called Ms. Spanberger’s repeal of Executive Order 47, which ends Virginia’s participation in the federal 287(g) program, “a major victory for immigrant communities across the Commonwealth.”
Executive Order 47, signed by Mr. Youngkin in February 2025, directed the Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections to enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to advance enforcement of immigration laws, based on Section 287(g) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
The Section 287(g) agreements delegate to federally trained and certified state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight.
CASA In Action said: “The 287(g) agreements, which deputized local law enforcement as ICE agents, fuel fear, racial profiling, and family separation in immigrant communities” and that ending the program across the state is “a critical step toward restoring trust, dignity, and safety for families across Virginia.”
Luis Aguilar, Virginia Director at CASA In Action, said: “By repealing EO-47, Governor Spanberger has reaffirmed that Virginia stands for freedom for all. This sends a strong and clear message: Virginia does not need voluntary collaboration with ICE to keep communities safe.”
Supply-focused policy pushed to make home ownership more affordable
The America First Policy Institute published a policy brief on how to make homeownership more affordable for more Americans.
It detailed how excessive government regulation, fees, and permitting delays caused the housing affordability crisis, and it provides a supply-focused solution to restore affordability in the housing market.
The conservative think tank’s analysis drew from a poll it conducted that showed rising housing costs impact Americans by restricting employment mobility, postponing family formation and making home ownership too expensive for millions.
“It is the predictable result of policy choices by the Biden administration that made it slower, riskier, and more expensive to build homes,” said Greg Sindelar, interim president and CEO at the America First Policy Institute.”
“AFPI’s housing agenda lays out a clear, achievable path to restore affordability by expanding supply, cutting red tape, and rewarding communities that incentivize these common-sense changes.”
Among the poll’s findings were a majority of voters say high housing costs have delayed at least one major life milestone, including moving for work, starting a family or retiring.
Additionally, the survey found that young Americans are disproportionately affected, with almost six in ten voters ages 18–34 saying housing affordability has affected their ability to move for a better job.
Voters overwhelmingly blamed government fees, mandates and red tape as significant contributors to higher housing costs in their communities.
State and local government bureaucrats ranked in the survey as the top group responsible for making it difficult for young families to purchase a home.
America First Policy Institute puts forth several policy solutions to address both affordability and access.
To empower families to build their bank accounts, the institute proposes enabling 529 education savings accounts to be used toward first-time home purchases.
AFP also supported modern construction methods to build residences, including factory-built housing to speed delivery and lower prices while maintaining safety and quality.
Other policy proposals include broadening skilled-trades training to address labor shortages and reduce construction costs, and using federal leverage to incentivize state and local governments to trim excessive fees, streamline permitting and shrink construction delays.
New ’America the Beautiful’ TV ad promotes faith and family
The Heritage Foundation recently unveiled an ambitious TV ad campaign paying homage to the nuclear family. It’s titled ”America. The Beautiful.”
The heart of the campaign is a 60-second movie-like spot that launched during the weekend’s NFL playoff games.
The TV ad features the historical evolution of the American way of life starting at the dinner table and highlighting “the enduring things that make America exceptional — particularly the commitment of husband and wife in marriage, the importance of parents and families passing along their values to the next generation, the rewards of service to community and country, and the faithfulness of God,” the Heritage Foundation said.
In one scene, an American family from 250 years ago gathers around the table by candlelight and links hands to pray. In the next scene, a family from the 1800’s sits around the table having just prayed.
Subsequent families at the dinner table as the scenes advance through time, ending with a family in a futuristic home with a humanoid robot and a sleek hovercraft vehicle parked outside near a pole with an American flag waving.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said he was “proud of Heritage’s campaign to refocus America on what is true, good, and beautiful in our country, especially as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.”
“The message in our ad serves as a powerful reminder that our nation has flourished because of its traditional values grounded in faith, marriage and family,” he said.
The ad will run through April on networks including TBS, TNT, USA, TV Land, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN U, Golf, FS!, Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, Cooking, GAC Family, Hallmark, Magnolia, GSN, GRIT, INSP and AHC.
The campaign will also have an expansive presence on social media channels and with targeted digital ads.
• The Advocates column is a weekly look at the political action players who drive the debate and shape policy outcomes in Washington. Send tips to theadvocates@washingtontimes.com.
