New Fact Sheet Outlines Evidence of Arlington County Police Collaboration with Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency
February 11, 2021
Contact:
Danny Cendejas | organizate@protonmail.com | 703-474-1330 | La ColectiVA
Arlington, Virginia — Virginia-based migrants rights organization, La ColectiVA and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild released a fact sheet this week outlining the ways in which Arlington County police agencies collaborate with ICE. The report shows how policies grant the Arlington County Police Department discretion to notify ICE about undocumented community members in several situations, which has led to the deportation of Arlington community members and separation of Arlington families. The report also discusses the role of the Arlington County Sheriff department in the deportation of community members by giving notification to ICE when people are being released from Arlington County Jail.
The fact sheet comes in response to the denial by members of the County Board of collaboration between local police agencies and ICE. La ColectiVA and other social justice groups in the area have repeatedly called on board members of the Arlington County Board to explicitly prohibit collaboration and information sharing with ICE for all county departments. In order to create real safety, inclusivity, and a welcoming environment to all community members, it is important that the policies outlined in the report be changed.
La ColectiVA and partners of the #DefundNoVAPolice coalition are holding a Twitterstorm today, Thursday, February 11 from 1-3 p.m. EST to increase visibility of this issue and call on board members to take urgent action in support of migrant communities. Follow the hashtags #ICEoutofArlington and #DefundNoVAPolice on Twitter to engage in the discussion.
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La ColectiVA is an inclusive collaborative led by Latinx people who are committed to fighting for social justice and liberation. La ColectiVA es una colaborativa inclusiva liderada por gente Latinx que están comprometidas a luchar por la justicia social y la liberación. Visit www.lacolectiva.org. Follow @LaColectiVA703
The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) is a national non-profit organization that litigates, advocates, and provides technical assistance and support to community-based immigrant organizations, legal practitioners, and all advocates working to advance the rights of noncitizens.