The Virginia Coalition of Immigrant Organizations urged state lawmakers Tuesday to pass legislation restricting ICE enforcement that advocates claim will benefit citizens and noncitizens alike.
"We are not just a separate group," Beatriz Amberman, chair of the coalition, said at a press conference. "We are a major part of a group of people that love this country and sacrifice a lot to be here."
Virginia, home to the 10th-largest Latino population in the country, has seen an uptick in ICE arrests since the start of the year, which correlates with Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger taking over for Republican Glenn Youngkin, according to John Cano, senior supervising organizer for the Legal Aid Justice Center.
The numbers paint a stark picture of increased enforcement activity. Reporting from WHRO's Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism revealed that ICE made 4,264 arrests in the first seven months of 2025, almost tripling the total from 2024. Cano said his organization and others who manage a hotline received 267 calls about ICE sightings or arrests in January alone, the highest monthly total since they launched the hotline last year.
"This is not who our commonwealth is," Monica Sarmiento of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights said. "We have seen an explosion of racial profiling and other really abusive tactics that are really leaking from the federal side. These are not the values and the beliefs that we want to set forward."
Democrats, who enjoy a majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, have introduced ICE-related legislation that would restrict local law enforcement's ability to enter into 287(g) written agreements with federal immigration officers. The proposed measures would also prevent civil and administrative arrests at courthouses and limit ICE activity at state-owned hospitals and schools.
Delegate Katrina Callsen, a Democrat, outlined the constitutional concerns driving the legislative push at a January press conference. "No one should have their personal information swept up, shared or misused without due process or without their consent; no one should fear that their personal data is being used to target or surveil them or that enforcement ignores the constitutional limits," Callsen said. "Virginia will not allow constitutional rights to be treated as optional."
Walter Tejada, founder of the coalition and former member of the Arlington County Board, said he is particularly disturbed by ICE arresting people at courthouses. The practice has drawn criticism from legal advocates who argue it undermines access to justice by creating fear among immigrant communities about appearing in court.
The timing of the advocacy effort coincides with the change in state leadership. The increase in ICE arrests has occurred as Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger took office, replacing Republican Glenn Youngkin. This transition has created new political dynamics around immigration enforcement in the state.
"We have a slew of bills now here with an opportunity to send a strong message to Virginia that we do not want ICE here in this commonwealth," Cano said. The proposed legislation represents a multi-pronged approach to limiting federal immigration enforcement at the state level.
The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement agencies to enter into written agreements with ICE to perform certain immigration enforcement functions. Critics argue these agreements can lead to racial profiling and erode trust between immigrant communities and local police. The proposed Virginia legislation would restrict such agreements.
Additionally, the bills would create sanctuary-like protections at sensitive locations. Limiting ICE activity at state-owned hospitals and schools aims to ensure that immigrants can access healthcare and education without fear of arrest. Similarly, preventing arrests at courthouses is designed to maintain access to the justice system.
The legislative package also addresses data sharing concerns. By restricting how personal information can be shared with federal immigration authorities, lawmakers aim to protect privacy rights and prevent surveillance activities that advocates argue violate constitutional protections.
Virginia's position as home to the nation's 10th-largest Latino population gives these debates particular significance. The state has experienced significant demographic changes in recent decades, with growing immigrant communities throughout Northern Virginia and other regions.
The advocacy coalition emphasizes that their proposals would benefit all Virginians, not just immigrants. They argue that limiting aggressive enforcement tactics creates safer communities where all residents feel comfortable cooperating with law enforcement and accessing essential services.
As the General Assembly considers these measures, the debate reflects broader national tensions over immigration policy and the role of state and local governments in federal enforcement efforts. The outcome in Virginia could influence similar discussions in other states with significant immigrant populations.
The legislative session presents a crucial opportunity for advocates to advance their agenda while Democrats control both chambers. The ultimate fate of these bills will depend on lawmakers' willingness to challenge federal immigration enforcement and establish Virginia as a sanctuary-friendly state.