The Arlington County Board’s decision to change the rules for how police collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement sparked heated debate.
Board members say they tightened rules to protect migrants, but some in the community believe the change will help the President-elect Donald Trump administration’s plans for mass deportation.
“We demand ICE out of Arlington,” people chanted at the board meeting on Saturday.
Supporters of the migrant community urged the board to postpone a vote or scrap one portion of what’s known as the “Trust Policy,” which governs when police contact ICE about undocumented immigrants.
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Activists with La ColectiVA called on people to speak at a board meeting over the weekend, criticizing policies “that continue to enable collaboration with ICE,” the group said in an Instagram post. Advocates also told News4 they’re concerned the policy remains too vague, even after board members said it narrowed instances in which police could contact ICE.
Board members said the rules needed to be clarified to protect the migrant community better.
Rules limit when Arlington police may contact immigration authorities
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The county wants immigrants to be able to use services and contact law enforcement without fear that information could be disclosed to federal immigration officials, the board’s Vice Chair Takis P. Karantonis said.
“The policy that we are refining today, narrowing significantly… is a building block to that, but it’s not the end of it,” Karantonis said. He acknowledged activists at the meeting wanted to remove the policy allowing collaboration with ICE, but said he’s not sure that’s possible.
Under the amendment, police would only collaborate with ICE when an immigrant is identified as a gang member and is wanted or arrested for a violent felony or criminal street gang offense, or when an undocumented immigrant is arrested for terrorism or a human trafficking offense. A police supervisor with a rank of lieutenant or higher would have to sign off.
The version of the policy adopted in 2022 allowed Arlington police to contact federal immigration authorities if “probable cause exists to arrest an undocumented immigrant under” a Virginia statue allowing for the arrest of “an alien illegally present in the United States.” That section was struck from the amended policy.
'Loopholes' concern supporters of immigrants in uncertain time
Opponents fear the Trust Policy change will open the door to more ICE deportations once the Trump administration begins to carry out its plans.
“It doesn’t state that someone has to be convicted of a felony,” said Luz Tobar of La ColectiVA.
“The trust policy gives so much discretion to officers that it’s very easy to see loopholes being abused here,” immigration law attorney Amber Qureshi said.
“I’m here to urge you to take a firm stand against any collaboration with ICE, as is currently enabled in the Trust Policy and the proposed revisions to the Trust Policy,” one speaker said at the board meeting. “These changes are keeping loopholes open that the next presidential administration will undoubtedly exploit to deport our neighbors en masse.”
Board Chair Libby Garvey told migrant supporters the county needs to move strategically and carefully.
“Is this a time that we want to draw attention and press on this issue here?” she said.
“I don’t think so and I believe it is dangerous,” she said. “I’m just going to say that right now.”
The board spokesman issued a statement reading in part: “While the county will do all it can to remain a welcoming home for all residents, regardless of immigration status, the county will continue to comply with all federal and state laws and regulations.”
Board members acknowledged the Trump administration proposals make this an uncertain time, so they promise to adjust policies as needed to protect the migrant community.
Our Telemundo 44 partners report that in 2023, Arlington police collaborated with ICE in four cases. So far this year, nine people have been referred to ICE.
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