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Arlington board removes policy allowing proactive local contact with federal immigration authorities
Summary
The Arlington County Board voted unanimously to remove a provision in its "trust policy" that allowed local law enforcement to proactively contact federal immigration authorities, citing public-safety and community trust concerns and the need to comply with federal and state law.
The Arlington County Board voted unanimously May 13 to revise the county's "trust policy," removing a provision that previously allowed local law enforcement to proactively contact federal immigration authorities.
County Chair Takis Carantonis told the board the change was intended to protect public safety and encourage cooperation between immigrant residents and police. "We are not going to allow anymore that our law enforcement proactively contacts the federal government immigration authorities on any issue," he said during the debate.
Board members said the change responds to recent federal enforcement practices and a decline in trust among immigrant residents, which local leaders said has reduced reports of crime and access to services. Vice Chair De Ferrante said, "I support removing section 7 because I believe it is in the best interest of public safety of our community under the facts and circumstances we're working with."
County staff and several board members emphasized the revision does not relieve the county of its obligation to follow federal and state law. Carantonis said repeatedly that Arlington will comply with applicable state and federal requirements and that the county is not trying to enforce immigration law locally: "Immigration and immigration enforcement is the exclusive domain of the federal government, 100%."
The board discussed practical effects of the change, including limits on voluntary information-sharing with federal immigration authorities and continuing requirements to comply with state statutes that can apply to persons in county detention. Members also discussed how staffing changes, public outreach and a renewed emphasis on life-safety enforcement would support the policy change.
The motion to adopt the revisions passed unanimously. The board directed county staff to continue monitoring developments and to return as needed with implementation guidance and any required technical updates to county policy.
Ending: The board's action represents a shift in county-level practice to prioritize community trust while maintaining compliance with higher-level law. Arlington officials said they will monitor effects on public safety reporting and coordinate further as federal and state actions evolve.
