The Department of Homeland Security has publicly blamed Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger for the death of a toddler, saying her decision to roll back cooperation with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allowed an illegal immigrant accused in the killing to remain in the community. DHS argues Spanberger's day-one order rescinding her Republican predecessor's ICE cooperation policy has turned Virginia into a "hotbed" for crime committed by illegal immigrants, framing the case as evidence that so-called sanctuary-style policies carry a direct public safety cost.

The department contrasted this with a Virginia county that continued cooperating with ICE, which it credited with securing swift justice in the case. Former DHS official Lora Ries, appearing on Fox News, said Virginia's state government is "gambling with Americans' lives" by limiting immigration enforcement cooperation. The article does not detail the specific charges, the identity of the accused, or Spanberger's response to the DHS criticism.