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Arlington residents press board to remove ‘Section 7’ of trust policy after recent ICE operations
Summary
Dozens of public commenters urged the Arlington County Board on March 15 to remove Section 7 of the county's trust policy and expand protections for immigrants after recent ICE activity in Northern Virginia. Board members said they will review the policy but noted limits on local authority to stop federal enforcement.
Dozens of residents urged the Arlington County Board on March 15 to remove Section 7 of Arlington's trust policy and expand protections for immigrant and other vulnerable communities after recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Northern Virginia.
The comments came during the board's public-comment period. Makayla Pond, founder of WOFA, told the board she represents a 1,200-person coalition pressing the county to "stand boldly, firmly, and strongly for the citizens of Arlington" and to "remove Section 7 from the trust policy." Several other speakers, including Allison B. of the ICE Out of Arlington campaign, Sana Sadiq, May Nguyen and Elizabeth Stanley, repeated that demand and called for expanded data protections, broader forms of identification to access services, and public convenings such as town halls and a task force to support affected residents.
Board Chair Dacus Carantones acknowledged the fear and disruption caused by federal operations and read a statement saying Arlington County does not conduct immigration enforcement and that county services are generally open to residents regardless of immigration status. The chair also said the county would continue to provide resources and outreach, including services for displaced federal employees and others affected economically.
Vice Chair Matt Ferrante, Board Member Maureen Coffey and other board members said they heard the public's urgency and would revisit Section 7. Ferrante noted the county had budgeted for expanded services such as eviction prevention and housing grants; Coffey and Susan Cunningham said they want concrete, implementable steps beyond nonbinding statements. Board Member Julius Spain said he supports revisiting the trust policy and pledged to engage with community advocates.
Several speakers sought actions beyond policy language: expanded acceptance of identification documents at county agencies, explicit protections against data-sharing with federal immigration authorities, stronger reporting on how the trust policy has functioned, and immediate removal of Section 7. Speakers delivered written materials and FOIA requests to the board during the meeting.
Board members repeatedly emphasized limits on local authority. Carantones said federal agents may operate in public spaces and that Arlington cannot stop federal enforcement actions; the board can, however, review county policies that govern county employee interactions with outside agencies. Several members asked county staff to compile recent data about how the trust policy has been applied and to return with options.
The board also highlighted immediate support resources the county is publicizing for residents affected by recent federal actions, including employment assistance, mental-health services, food-security resources, housing and rent assistance, and targeted events for federal workers and others.
No formal change to the trust policy was made at the March 15 meeting. Board members said they would continue discussions with community groups and review possible policy revisions for future consideration.
