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Harrisonburg council asks city manager to draft letters asking state and federal officials to investigate ICE/HSI actions
Summary
After residents reported aggressive immigration enforcement operations that council members said left children unattended and caused fear in immigrant neighborhoods, the council directed the city manager and attorney to draft correspondence to state and federal leaders asking for training, oversight and an investigation.
Mayor Reid opened an emotional public discussion Nov. 12 about “violent and deeply troubling actions carried out by ICE agents” in Harrisonburg, saying the incidents have “shaken the sense of safety and belonging” for immigrant residents. Vice Mayor Fleming and several council members described reports that agents stopped residents—sometimes with children—and in some cases left children unattended or used force that council members said would not meet local law‑enforcement standards.
Council members agreed the city has limited legal authority over federal immigration agencies, but said officials nonetheless must act to protect community trust and safety. Vice Mayor Fleming said the council’s goal is to “protect trust, safety, and accountability within our own systems” and to ask higher officials to confirm that federal enforcement meets professional training and oversight standards.
City Manager Banks told council he would work with the city attorney to draft correspondence “directed to both the state and federal officials, conveying council’s concern about the conduct of federal law enforcement in the city,” and circulate it to council for review. Council members also asked staff to reach out to neighboring jurisdictions and Rockingham County to build a regional response and asked that the letter request clarification of training standards and an investigation into the incidents described by residents.
The direction to the city manager was procedural: council did not adopt an ordinance or change city policy at the meeting. Staff said any further action would be coordinated with legal counsel and return to council as needed. The city manager said the draft correspondence would be shared with council for edits before it is sent.
