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.