Students and residents urge Blacksburg to restrict local cooperation with ICE; mayor says police do not enforce federal immigration law

Dozens of students and residents urged the Blacksburg Town Council Tuesday to adopt local policies limiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, citing fear among immigrant families and recent arrests in other states.

“Multiple New River Valley community members have been detained without due process right here in our own communities,” said Matt Hutchison, a Virginia Tech student, who read a list of four community demands asking the town to require visible officer identification, codify limits on 287(g) collaboration, prevent town agencies from collecting or sharing immigration status without a court order, and prohibit use of town-owned property as staging locations for federal raids.

Other students and residents described the emotional toll of raids and the chilling effect on everyday life. “We need safeguards,” said Tiffany, a Virginia Tech student, who urged the council to put protocols in place so families feel safe going to school and work. Barbara Caranza Martinez, another student, said families in her community still fear deportation and asked the council to codify protections in the package the speakers provided.

Mayor (Chair) responded after public comment, saying the town takes the concerns seriously and outlining current local practice. “The Blacksburg Police Department does not participate in the 287(g) program and does not enforce federal civil immigration law,” the mayor said, adding officers are required to wear identifiable department-authorized uniforms and use body-worn cameras when interacting with the public. The mayor also said the town has not received requests to use town property for ICE staging and would not honor such requests without a court order.

The mayor said town staff will review the materials provided by speakers and that the council is monitoring related state legislation. He noted that decisions about any cooperation between the county jail and federal authorities fall outside the town’s authority and directed residents to county officials for questions about jail operations.

The meeting record shows no formal motion or ordinance was introduced to codify the students’ requests at this session; speakers asked the council to consider drafting local policies and to be proactive in protecting immigrant residents. The council did not take additional action during the meeting beyond the mayor’s pledge to review the submitted materials.

The council meeting continued with other agenda items; the mayor closed by thanking participants and noting town staff remain available to discuss the concerns further.