Virginia localities puzzled by inclusion on federal "sanctuary cities" list

The Department of Homeland Security is identifying 20 counties and 13 cities in Virginia they call “sanctuary jurisdictions.”

To understand the list of 33 sanctuary cities in Virginia, perhaps it’s best to focus on one county that is NOT on the list: Loudoun County in Northern Virginia. Freddy Mejia at the Commonwealth Institute says this is the example used to strong-arm local law-enforcement officials to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

“Loudoun County saw a real large spike of car searches for Latino residents in that community," Mejia says. "And we know that that community, that sheriff is cooperating with ICE under a 287(g) agreement in Loudoun County.” 

So, Loudoun might not be on the list. But Fairfax County and Richmond City are. And local governments across Virginia are worried that’s a threat to federal money to feed at-risk children or finance infrastructure.

“What federal funds do you now get that are not already in danger," asks Steve Haner at the Thomas Jefferson Institute. "I mean, I’m sorry, this administration is going after every federal fund they can find. So, I mean, I fully expect that type of tactic would happen.”

Now that the Department of Homeland Security has issued the list of 20 counties and 13 cities in Virginia it calls “sanctuary jurisdictions,” the U. S. Attorney General is empowered to pursue legal remedies and enforcement measures against those local governments across Virginia.

Several localities, including Martinsville, Hanover County and Tazewell County have publicly questioned why they were included on the list, arguing they cooperate with federal enforcement whenever requested.

In a statement, the chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors defended that county's policies.

"Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is automatically notified any time an individual is booked into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and has a criminal detainer. This policy of the Sheriff’s Office which is not under the purview of the Board of Supervisors is consistent with Virginia State Code, and an approach I support. If ICE determines that the individual poses a threat to public safety, they are able to take custody of that person upon completion of their sentence. The Sheriff's Office does not and should not hold anyone beyond their court-ordered release date," Jeffrey McKay wrote. "This separation between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement is not just a policy—it is a proven strategy that helps keep our community safe."

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.