The lawsuits that could stop 3 major Virginia laws
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Three of Virginia's major new laws around guns and immigration are caught in legal battles with no resolution in sight.
Why it matters: The courtroom is becoming the next battleground for some of Virginia's biggest policy changes, with judges determining whether — and ultimately, to what extent — they can be enforced.
The big picture: Virginia is facing at least seven lawsuits over Democrat-led bills slated to take effect on July 1, including:
- Six in state and federal court over the assault weapons ban, resulting in conflicting injunctions and confusion over where the law can be enforced.
- One from the Justice Department challenging Virginia's new restrictions on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement — known as 287(g) agreements — and ICE officers using masks.
What they're saying: "I can't remember an instance where so many laws have been challenged," said Richard Meagher, a political science professor at Randolph-Macon College.
- But he told Axios it's not entirely surprising because they center on two issues that almost always inevitably end up in court: guns and immigration.
Where they stand:
Assault weapons ban: A Washington County judge said last week that an injunction will expand statewide July 21 unless a higher court intervenes, making the ban unenforceable.
- But Attorney General Jay Jones' office is saying the ban does remain enforceable across most of Virginia while the state appeals.
😷 ICE masking law: A federal judge temporarily blocked it the day before it was set to take effect, saying that states can't control federal agencies.
- Similar battles are playing out in other states that have attempted similar bans.
🛂 Immigration agreements: Virginia's restrictions on local 287(g) agreements remain in effect while the lawsuit proceeds. The next hearing is Aug. 3.
The intrigue: Local law enforcement agencies have until Sept. 1 to terminate their 287(g) agreements, per the new law.
- Nearly 30 still have them, according to ICE's latest update, which is essentially unchanged from February.
What we're watching: How much of these laws ultimately survives, and how local governments and law enforcement agencies navigate the legal uncertainty.