immigration

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Alexandria advocacy group calls on sheriff to stop transferring inmates to ICE

By James Cullum
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has turned over 35 inmates in the city jail to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this year to date, and a local group wants the practice to stop.

Advocacy group Grassroots Alexandria says that the Sheriff is cooperating with ICE, and risks losing the respect of his community. In contrast, the Sheriff’s Office says it must transfer inmates in compliance with federal law. The number of Alexandria inmates transferred to ICE custody was recently revealed in a July 15 Freedom of Information Act request from Grassroots Alexandria.

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Alexandria Health Department gets $120K from City Council after losing federal grant

By James Cullum
Alexandria Health Department (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

City Council has released more than $120,000 in reserve funding to the Alexandria Health Department.

On Tuesday (July 1), Council approved the one-time funding to support the city’s Healthy Homes Action Plan, immigrant and refugee resource programs, and expansion of the ALX Breathes program. AHD lost the funds, which were from a federal COVID-19 grant earlier this year.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

What a week it’s been in Alexandria. Here’s our recap of top stories.

ALXnow had its highest single-day visitor count ever on Thursday (June 12), with more than 53,000 views, following a report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and four major cities across the country.

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Report: ICE preparing to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and four big cities

By James Cullum
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

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.

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News

ICE announces February arrest of Salvadoran woman in Alexandria

By James Cullum
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced this week the arrest of a 40-year-old Salvadoran woman in Alexandria on Feb. 25.

Silvia Lorana Bonilla-De Jandres was arrested as part of an investigation by the Virginia State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. She was arrested more than a month ago, on the same day that a 41-year-old Salvadoran woman was arrested by ICE in Alexandria.

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Alexandria families prepare for the worst as immigration crackdowns spark fear, uncertainty

By ALXnow.com
ICE and the FBI making arrests in Annandale (image via ICE)

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.

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News

Alexandria Superintendent clarifies ACPS’ immigration stance

By Vernon Miles
ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt delivers her fiscal year 2026 Combined Funds Budget to the Alexandria School Board, Jan. 23, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt made a small clarifying addendum to a message released last month about how the school division handles immigration concerns.

Last month, Kay-Wyatt sent a letter to community members saying all children have a right to attend ACPS schools regardless of the immigration status of the students or their families.  Kay-Wyatt also noted, though, that ACPS “is obligated to comply with all lawful orders and warrants from any law enforcement entity, including ICE.”

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Mayor says Alexandria law enforcement won’t help ICE conduct immigration raids

By James Cullum
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks after taking the oath of office, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins says that recent immigration enforcement raids in nearby jurisdictions have resulted in “fear, confusion, and concern,” and that the city won’t assist federal investigators.

In a statement posted on the city website today, the Democrat mayor said that Alexandria will always be a welcoming community where “all residents are supported, respected, and valued.”

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Alexandria Superintendent spells out ways ACPS can and can’t protect students from ICE

By Vernon Miles
ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt delivers her fiscal year 2026 Combined Funds Budget to the Alexandria School Board, Jan. 23, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

With President Donald Trump removing restrictions preventing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from raiding schools, Alexandria Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt laid out the ways Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) are protected from ICE but also exceptions families should be aware of.

The message comes after a full-throated rebuke of ICE activities at school to the fullest extent allowable by law by Fairfax County Public Schools leadership. Kay-Wyatt’s message similarly noted that the schools can help shield children to an extent, but reaffirmed that ACPS “is obligated to comply with all lawful orders and warrants from any law enforcement entity, including ICE.

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Alexandria needs political diversity on City Council, says lone Republican candidate

By James Cullum
Republican City Council candidate Celianna Gunderson (courtesy photo)

Can Republican Celianna Gunderson shake up the Alexandria City Council with a win this November?

While she’s still learning the issues, Gunderson says that she would not have voted to approve a recent 2.5-cent tax increase.

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Alexandria City Council wants to incentivize locals and businesses to get private security cameras

By James Cullum
Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Personal security cameras, speed cameras in school zones, summer youth employment programs and eviction prevention funding are just a few of the final additions included in the fiscal year 2024 budget by the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday.

Council approved funding a $20,000 program to encourage businesses and homeowners with a “small incentive” to set up security cameras to deter crime, as well as increase their coordination with the Alexandria Police Department.

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