Northern Virginia is reportedly among the “five cities run by Democratic leaders” that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to deploy tactical units to, according to MSNBC.
Citing two unnamed sources “familiar with the planning of future ICE operations,” MSNBC reported that ICE is preparing to deploy tactical response teams in New York City, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia.
Alexandria was recently designated a Sanctuary Jurisdiction by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; however, their published list, which included hundreds of localities, was soon removed from the DHS website. After the removal, Mayor Alyia Gaskins said that the city is “committed to upholding the constitutional and civil rights of all people, regardless of their immigration status.”
The City’s elected officials, including Mayor Alyia Gaskins, are all Democrats. Trump soundly lost against Kamala Harris in Northern Virginia in the 2024 election (that’s Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park).
Soon after taking office, Gaskins said that Alexandria would not assist ICE in enforcing immigration raids. ICE arrested two women from El Salvador in the city in February, and the action was only publicly reported by the department in March and April.
“While Federal officers may take enforcement actions in our City, the City of Alexandria does not participate in federal immigration enforcement,” Gaskins said. “The City of Alexandria’s law enforcement officers do not participate in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids or arrests to enforce immigration laws. This applies to Alexandria police officers, deputy sheriffs and fire marshals.”
Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey removed ICE from his office’s contract to detain federal inmates in 2022.
According to a recent interview with Casey:
In 2007-08, ICE was added to that contract. ICE was allowed to hold individuals who were arrested on immigration violations inside the detention center. During the first Trump administration, Dana (Lawhorne) was the Sheriff. We had a number of community conversations on this, and he made the decision that I supported at the time that we’re not going to allow ICE to use our facility to hold individuals when arrested on immigration violations. In 2022 when I took office… we removed ICE from the contract. Now, anybody who’s held in our jail is via the United States Marshals Service, which is the sheriff for the federal government. If the FBI, DEA, and ATF arrest somebody in this Eastern District, they send them to us as a Marshal’s prisoner. So, the individuals ICE is arresting for immigration violations in the community are not coming to our jail.
There is an anti-Trump administration protest in Old Town on Saturday, June 14. Confirmed speakers at the event, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m., include U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8), Virginia House majority leader Charniele Herring (D-4), Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39), and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter. Gaskins is tentatively scheduled to speak.
SEE: Alexandria families prepare for the worst as immigration crackdowns spark fear, uncertainty
READ: Alexandria Superintendent clarifies ACPS’ immigration stance
MORE: What to know about ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump’s policies
NEXT DOOR: EXCLUSIVE: Amid immigration raids, a quiet resistance movement builds in Arlington
Red cards for immigrants
At City Hall, the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office, and other public buildings, Alexandria provides red immigration cards with the following advice:
You have constitutional rights:
- DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.
- DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.
- DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.
- If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.
- GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.
(On the other side)
I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution. I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door. I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights. I choose to exercise my constitutional rights. These cards are available to citizens and noncitizens alike.
ALXnow has reached out to ICE for more information.
