Arlington County Urges Reporting of ICE Agents

In a recent meeting, Arlington County, one of Virginia’s more liberal areas, advised residents to report sightings of ICE agents to emergency services, suggesting they be treated like regular criminals on the street. This controversial stance was emphasized by the chair of the Arlington County Board of Supervisors, who criticized former Governor Glenn Youngkin for establishing a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security that the new governor, Abigail Spanberger, has since overturned.

Arlington, a wealthy and densely populated community of about 245,000, is located just west of Washington, D.C. The area has a strong Democratic presence and has long been recognized for its progressive policies.

During the board meeting, Chairman Matt De Ferranti, a Democrat, reminded residents of county laws that prohibit interference with federal immigration law enforcement. Instead, he encouraged the public to notify local officials about ICE’s presence in their neighborhoods. “It’s not just about following the law,” he explained. “It’s about protecting our neighbors and reducing harm, which means calling 911 when you see ICE in our community.”

He stressed that by alerting the authorities, they can respond and “pursue” the situation. The primary mission of Arlington’s law enforcement is to prevent violence, he said, adding that there’s no legal requirement for ICE to inform the community when they are active in the area.

De Ferranti criticized ICE’s tactics as being aggressive and provoking conflict, arguing that the method of going door-to-door to find undocumented individuals is inappropriate. Spanberger, supporting De Ferranti’s views, stated that such actions detract from Arlington’s values, which were compromised under the previous administration.

The topic has gained attention following a case involving David Cabrera, a twice-deported Guatemalan convicted rapist, which drew ire from ICE Director Todd Lyons over the county’s handling of his release after a probation violation.

Lyons claimed that the county’s rescinded policy previously allowed for limited cooperation with federal authorities in serious cases, emphasizing the “missed opportunity” to deport Cabrera. On the other hand, Arlington’s Commonwealth’s Attorney pointed out that ICE sometimes targets individuals simply accused of crimes without a conviction.

Following De Ferranti’s remarks, Rep. Angie Craig from Minnesota echoed similar sentiments, advocating for residents to contact authorities if ICE appears in their vicinity. However, De Ferranti’s statements have sparked backlash online, with critics dubbing Arlington a “center of left-wing madness” and suggesting that the approach could result in unaddressed emergencies.

As the conversation continues, many are monitoring the implications of these policies on community safety and immigration enforcement.