
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey takes decisive action against illegal immigration and fentanyl crisis, ordering state law enforcement to collaborate with ICE.
At a Glance
- 72 undocumented immigrants detained in West Virginia
- Governor Morrisey issues Executive Order for state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE
- Morrisey links illegal immigration to West Virginia’s fentanyl crisis
- 13 detainees had prior criminal convictions in the state
- Over 80% of fatal drug overdoses in West Virginia involved fentanyl in 2023
Crackdown on Illegal Immigration in West Virginia
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has directed state law enforcement agencies to join forces with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – and it’s having a huge impact already. The order has resulted in the detention of 72 undocumented immigrants across the state, marking a significant step in the nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration initiated by President Donald Trump’s administration.
The recent operation revealed that 13 of the detained individuals had prior criminal convictions in West Virginia, while 36 were charged with various immigration violations. These violations included missing court hearings, ignoring deportation orders, and re-entering the United States after previous deportation.
Governor Morrisey has drawn a direct connection between illegal immigration and the state’s ongoing fentanyl crisis. West Virginia has been grappling with one of the highest per capita death rates from drug overdoses in the United States, with fentanyl playing a central role in this epidemic.
“For many years, people have talked about ‘Well, West Virginia is not a border state. Why is it relevant here?'” Morrisey said. “Well, it’s relevant because of the drug plague and the fentanyl that comes in.”
The Governor’s office reported that over 81% of fatal drug overdoses in West Virginia involved fentanyl in 2023, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Morrisey suggests that drug “mules” traffic fentanyl from the southern border, often involving undocumented individuals.
It’s about time this problem actually got solved.
Cooperation with Federal Agencies
Governor Morrisey’s Executive Order mandating state law enforcement cooperation with ICE represents a significant step in aligning state and federal efforts to combat both illegal immigration and drug trafficking. This move has been met with appreciation from those who support stricter immigration enforcement and a more aggressive approach to the opioid crisis.
The Governor also expressed gratitude for President Trump’s efforts on illegal immigration, saying, “I’m so thankful we have President Trump in the White House. He has taken on this illegal immigration problem and we’re going to partner with the President to go after this deadly issue.”
This is amazing progress, and we’re barely two weeks in!