Given recent executive orders combating the number of illegal immigrants in the US, Northern Virginia (NOVA) is one of the many places that has come under increased scrutiny for its high number of immigrants. Fairfax County in particular has had conflicts over illegal immigration for years, but has been receiving increased attention in recent months.
Members and supporters of the Trump Administration label areas across NOVA, specifically Fairfax County, as a “sanctuary jurisdiction” for immigrants according to NBC4. ICE, as of January, is allowed to search schools, places of worship and hospitals with a judicial warrant.
In light of these developments, leaders and groups across NOVA are taking action to reassure the community.
The Fairfax County School Board has a trust policy, stating that FCPS will not share families’ legal status with federal immigration specialists. When this policy was implemented in 2021, ICE(Immigration & Customs Enforcement) was prohibited from entering schools, hospitals and places of worship.
“Teachers are having to confront students about these fears,” said the President of Fairfax County Federation of Teachers.
The trust policy has been challenged by Virginia Leaders including Republican Governer Glenn Younkin who referenced a rape case in Herndon to justify a withhold of funding from local police and sherriffs for not complying with ICE detainers.
Just last month the Herndon Police Department (HPD) was flooded with calls regarding accusations of HPD members’ involvement in ICE raids which the HPD denied. Despite this denial social media continued to spread the allegations increasing community fear and awareness.
Similar fears have spread across the country as ICE continues to crack down on immigrants. Government officials supporting the tighter enforcement praise ICE’s efforts.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s Schools and Churches to avoid arrest,” said Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman.
On a broader scale, Texas, Mississippi, and Florida have detained the most illegal immigrants throughout the United States since Trump’s inauguration. In Texas specifically, agents are cracking down on illegal immigrant operations in Colony Ridge. On Monday, February 24th, 118 people in and around Colony Ridge were arrested by ICE. Those arrested had charges ranging from child sexual abuse to homicide and manslaughter.
In New Jersey, US Marshals and ICE arrived at a Jersey Kabob and arrested the store owners. The son of the owners immediately took action, securing the family recipe in attempts to keep the store alive, however it was later shut down indefinitely.
This highlights ICE’s disregard for locations of any suspected illegal immigrant. Many students and teacher’s anxiety has been heightened in recent months with these changes to ICE policy. Teachers in areas across the country are forced to adjust and help students cope with fear.
