McDonnell seeks immigration authority for State Police

Gov. Bob McDonnell formally asked the federal government to grant Virginia State Police the power to enforce immigration laws, thrusting the state back into the center of a vigorous national debate on immigration policy.

Following through on a campaign promise, McDonnell is seeking approval from Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to expand the 287(g) program to the state police — which would provide them with the training and authorization from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify and detain illegal immigrants.