Arlington County, Virginia, governed by a Democrat-led board just outside Washington, D.C., is taking aggressive steps to block local police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The board is now considering eliminating Section 7 of its Trust Policy, which currently allows officers to alert U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when illegal aliens are arrested.
The push is spearheaded by board member JD Spain, Sr., who aims to stop any collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE during arrests, even when suspects have terror ties, are gang-affiliated, or pose threats to public safety. Activist groups backing the move argue it protects immigrant communities, but critics say it endangers law-abiding citizens.
Arlington resident Audrey Clement condemned the proposed policy change, warning it would allow dangerous individuals to remain on the streets. “Repeal of Section 7 will release criminal aliens … to continue their life of crime on Arlington streets,” she stated at a recent board meeting.
The effort builds on the board’s 2022 decision to block ICE access to criminal illegals, a move passed unanimously at the time. The county also created a police oversight board aimed at punishing officers who defy the county’s sanctuary-style restrictions by working with federal authorities.
Further undermining immigration enforcement, the county has aligned itself with non-governmental organizations that shield criminal aliens from deportation. These actions prioritize political ideology over public safety and reflect a growing pattern of Democrat-led jurisdictions resisting federal immigration laws.
If the elimination of Section 7 is approved, Arlington would reinforce its status as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, even those with violent criminal histories, while increasing risks for its residents and law enforcement.
