Arlington County Limits Police Cooperation with ICE
This week, the Arlington County Commission in Virginia voted to further restrict local police collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The decision was based on the belief that only those undocumented immigrants who commit severe crimes, such as human trafficking or terrorism, would be of concern to the state’s attorney general.
As part of this change, the section of the Arlington County Trust Policy that allowed police to contact ICE regarding immigration enforcement has been removed. Arlington Attorney General Jason Miyarez commented after the vote, arguing that the move does not enhance local safety. Instead, he claims it could actually decrease safety by hampering law enforcement’s ability to identify potential threats.
“This policy does nothing to improve safety in Arlington,” he stated. “In fact, it endangers the community, allowing only those illegal immigrants involved in the most egregious offenses to slip through the cracks.” Miyarez’s views reflect a more cautious approach toward immigration enforcement.
The previous trust policy, adopted in July 2022, outlined specific situations where the Arlington County Police Department could contact ICE. This included instances where undocumented individuals were identified as gang members or arrested for violent felonies. However, the recent changes do not include this language anymore.
Takis Currantnis, chairman of the Arlington County Commission, clarified, “This change doesn’t mean that breaking the law will go unchecked. Law enforcement will still act on crimes.” He added that removing this section represents a broader societal issue, where fear surrounding immigration policy continues to grow within the community. “We want all residents to feel safe interacting with local authorities,” he emphasized.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin weighed in, criticizing the commission’s decision as a failure to protect residents. He posed the rhetorical question, “When did safeguarding violent illegal immigrants take precedence over the security of our own citizens?” Youngkin condemned the vote as a neglect of duty and emphasized the importance of local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal agencies to maintain public safety.
In a broader context, some officials believe the trend towards sanctuary policies reflects a troubling shift. For instance, Stephen Miller, a deputy chief of staff for the White House, expressed discontent with Democrats purportedly prioritizing undocumented residents over the safety of Americans.
In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security officials criticized this approach, arguing that it could jeopardize public safety. They pointed to arrests that have occurred in Arlington County, including several linked to gang activity, and expressed concern over local leaders prioritizing political considerations over community safety.
As local debates over immigration and public safety continue, the Arlington County Commission’s decision reflects the ongoing struggle between ensuring community safety and navigating complex immigration policy.
