Some Alexandria families are bracing for potential immigration enforcement following a wave of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in his first days back in office.
While there have been no confirmed reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Alexandria, local advocacy groups say immigrant families are preparing for the worst.
“We’re going through this… for the second time around, right? We experienced that same fear eight years ago…,” said Ingris Moran, lead community organizer for Tenants and Workers United.
In the weeks since taking office, Trump has signed a series of executive orders expanding immigration enforcement. One of the most immediate concerns is a policy allowing for the expedited removal of undocumented individuals who cannot prove they’ve lived in the U.S. for more than two years — potentially deporting longtime residents without a court hearing.
Another order directs ICE to ramp up arrests, particularly of people with expired work permits or temporary protections, and allows local law enforcement to carry out immigration duties under Homeland Security’s supervision.
In response, Alexandria officials have sought to reassure residents. Mayor Alyia Gaskins said last month that local law enforcement — including police, sheriff’s deputies, and fire marshals — do not enforce federal immigration laws or participate in ICE operations. She acknowledged that such actions have led to “fear, confusion, and concern” among residents.
Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt also addressed the issue, saying ACPS will comply with lawful orders and warrants from any law enforcement agency, including ICE. However, she added that the school system’s legal team will carefully review any such requests. Kay-Wyatt reiterated that all children have the right to attend ACPS schools, regardless of immigration status.
Though only a few ICE raids have been reported in the region — including the arrest of seven individuals in Annandale last week — Moran says many of the families her organization works with remain on edge.
“A lot of our families right now are fearing, like, you know, family separation,” Moran said. “So, you know, what if, for instance, families are separated? We try to see how we can navigate through the families and connect them through resources that already exist to provide, including legal representation.”
She mentioned that some families are taking steps like securing power of attorney agreements or legal guardianships to prepare in case a family member is arrested or detained by ICE. The organization also helps families connect to legal resources and services to understand their rights and what to do if they encounter ICE.
“Our families are trying to prepare as best they can, but at the end of the day, it’s such a big toll that it has on them emotionally and then mentally,” Moran said.
Moran said her organization is focused on providing families with information and access to legal resources, though the demand is high and nonprofit legal groups are already stretched thin.
“A lot of nonprofit organizations are really burdened with already the work that they have,” she said. “So, you know, it’s also a lot of private immigration attorneys that families are going to be seeking.”
At the same time, she cautioned that some families have been taken advantage of by predatory businesses posing as legal service providers.
“There are a lot of businesses that take advantage of our community,” she said. “So, how do we connect people to trusted services that can help them out and navigate them through the issues that they may be facing?”
Despite the uncertainty, Moran said families are focused on staying informed and supporting one another and stressed that the organization’s approach is not about panic but preparation.
“We don’t want the media or the public to feel sorry for our families,” she said. “They are resilient. They’ve faced challenges before, and they will continue to fight for their rights and dignity.”
As the situation unfolds, Moran said the organization will continue monitoring any enforcement actions and working with local partners to provide legal and advocacy support.
“It’s unfortunate that our families … are not being treated like [they are] human,” she said. “We’re just like any other human being that wants to live with dignity and respect.”
By James Jarvis
