2026 Immigrant Rights Legislation

Note: As of June 11, 2026, there is a lawsuit (U.S. v. The Commonwealth of Virginia) pending that challenges this law. Until the court decides otherwise, this law goes into effect as described below.

This bill is a huge step in protecting Virginians from abusive and unconstitutional ICE tactics. HB 1441 / SB 783 limits the ways in which Virginia law enforcement can collaborate with ICE and other federal agencies to enforce immigration law. 

It addresses informal collaboration, as well as contracts that allow ICE to use Virginia officers to enforce federal immigration law (“287g agreements”) and contracts that allow Virginia jails to detain people for ICE (called “Intergovernmental Service Agreements,” or “IGSAs”). More specifically:

• Starting July 1, 2026, this law prevents many forms of informal collaboration with ICE without a judicial warrant.
• Starting September 1, 2026, this law limits agreements with ICE (287gs and detention-related IGSAs), by putting conditions on these contracts.
• This law allows the Attorney General to hold law enforcement accountable. The Attorney General, an attorney for the Commonwealth, or a county/city attorney may enforce the law in court.

Watch our Facebook Live discussion about HB 1441 / SB 783 (available in Spanish only):

Read more about this law in our community explainer, available in English and Spanish:

Under federal immigration law, an unmarried noncitizen young person up to 21 years old who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent may seek protection in the form of Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status. SIJ status provides a potential pathway to a green card. 

For many years, the opportunity to protection in the form of Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status was generally only available to youth in Virginia up to 18 years of age. This year, after much advocacy, the General Assembly passed HB 667, which opens the process to youth up to 21 years of age – consistent with federal law. 

Watch our Facebook Live discussion about HB 667 (available in Spanish only):

Read more about this law in our community explainer, available in English and Spanish:

This bill is a major step toward stability and dignity for immigrant communities in Virginia. HB 911 / SB 446 strengthens and expands Virginia’s Driver Privilege Card (DPC) law, which allows residents to drive regardless of immigration status.  

Building on the original DPC law, passed in 2020, HB 911 / SB 446 removes the restrictive two-year duration period and aligns driver privilege cards with standard driver’s license timelines, reducing unnecessary renewals and barriers. More specifically, this law extends the validity of driver privilege cards and permits to match standard Virginia driver’s licenses, replacing the current two-year limit.  

It also establishes transition guidelines: 

• Driver privilege cards that expire before July 1 will receive one more two-year renewal cycle.  

• After that cycle, those cards will shift to the new eight-year validity period.  

• Any driver privilege card that renews on or after July 1^st will immediately receive the full eight-year extension.  

• DPC holders maintain access to driving privileges without requiring proof of legal immigration status, while still requiring proof of Virginia residency and tax filing.  

HB 911 / SB 446 aligns these credentials with standard DMV processes, improving usability, consistency, and long-term stability for Virginia residents.  

Watch our Facebook Live discussion about HB 911 / SB 446 (available in Spanish only):

Below, find instructions for how to apply for or renew a Driver Privilege Card, in English and Spanish: