Gov. Patrick Morrisey announces during a press conference in Beckley, West Virginia, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, that West Virginia State Police have arrested 60 undocumented immigrants in the state since beginning a program in collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Photo courtesy of Governor Patrick Morrisey’s West Virginia Office)
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Bridge Day — the state’s largest one-day festival — also included more arrests of undocumented immigrants in West Virginia.
Last month, the state Partnership with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has led to the arrest of 60 undocumented immigrants as Morrisey supports President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
“I’m glad we’re taking these additional steps to protect our citizens,” Morrisey said at a news conference in Beckley on Tuesday. The Republican governor was joined by West Virginia State Police officers and elected officials in supporting his immigration efforts.
West Virginia takes part In ICE’s 287(g) program This allows specially trained local and state police officers, as well as National Guard members, to perform specific enforcement duties of ICE agents.
The Governor also directed I called on state police and prison leaders to cooperate fully with ICE.
According to Morrisey’s office Members of the West Virginia State Police Turnpike, West Virginia Public Service Commission, Drug Enforcement Agency and ICE arrested nine undocumented people Saturday while directing traffic for nearby Bridge Day celebrations.
In addition, State Police and ICE arrested another nine undocumented immigrants on US 19 near Interstate 79.
“Governor Morrisey’s leadership has given the State Police the tools to combat illegal immigration and fulfill our duty to protect West Virginians,” West Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Jim Mitchell said in a news release Tuesday. “We will continue to take all measures permitted by law to arrest and detain those who have violated our nation’s immigration laws.”
Morrisey said those arrested were taken to the crowded South Central Regional Jail. The Charleston prison is one of three prisons in West Virginia that hold immigrants from around the country State treaty with ICE during the mass deportation of President Donald Trump campaign.
ICE pays West Virginia $90 for each day a detainee is held. All three prisons work with ICE are overloadedaccording to the latest data shared with state lawmakers.
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