Arlington County, Virginia, is facing accusations of violating federal law after approving a policy to provide taxpayer-funded grants to families of undocumented immigrants impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions or deportations. The program, intended as a social safety net, has drawn criticism from former federal immigration officials and the Department of Homeland Security.
The county has set aside $50,000 to be distributed through a local ministry, Arlington Thrive, with grants of up to $2,000 per family. These funds are designated to cover basic needs and utilities for families who have lost their primary earner.
Former acting ICE Director Jonathan Fahey stated that such policies could be considered violations of the federal alien harboring statute, which prohibits actions that encourage or induce undocumented immigrants to remain in the country illegally. He argued that providing financial assistance enables these families to stay in the U.S. unlawfully, especially given County Manager Mark Schwartz's comments that many recipient families are "unbanked" and lack access to formal financial institutions.
Fahey asserted that Arlington County is demonstrating a "reckless disregard" for the legal status of the recipients and that the policy's effects could extend beyond the county, potentially impacting adjacent areas like Washington D.C., and other Virginia localities.
Arlington County officials, including Board Chairman Matt de Ferranti, have defended the initiative, stating it is a measure to support "families of those that have been displaced and removed." De Ferranti previously advised county residents to report ICE sightings to 911, a suggestion that also drew criticism for potentially interfering with federal immigration enforcement.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson criticized the county's move, calling it an instance of "sanctuary politicians" using taxpayer money to "reward illegal aliens who break the law."
The policy passed the Arlington County Board with a 4-0 vote, with one member absent. The decision reportedly followed a significant ICE operation in Maryland and Virginia that resulted in the arrest of 1,328 individuals. This operation included an incident in which a man, Jose Mejia Hernandez, was tased and suffered a brain bleed while attempting to evade agents near the U.S. Air Force Memorial, prompting an investigation by the Arlington County Police.
Demonstrators with La ColectiVA protested during the Arlington County Board meeting on July 16, 2022, in Arlington, Virginia.
ICE Special Response Team agents were involved in an apartment complex raid in Alexandria, Virginia, on Oct. 4, 2022.
