Federal immigration authorities make an arrest in Arlington, Va., in February. (ICE)
A copy of the old Trust Policy, which the county said was first adopted in July 2022 to ensure residents can interact with the local government without fear of action by federal immigration authorities, outlined the instances in which the Arlington County Police Department could reach out to ICE.
It said ACPD could contact federal immigration authorities if someone was an "undocumented immigrant" who "has been identified as a gang member and is wanted or arrested for a violent felony or a criminal street gang offense," or if they were "arrested for a terrorism or human trafficking offense," according to a copy of the policy obtained by WJLA.
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However, the updated policy no longer includes that language.
"To be clear, breaking the law is still breaking the law. This decision does not change that, and if a crime is committed, law enforcement will respond," Takis Karantonis, the chair of the Arlington County Board, said in a statement.
"The decision to remove Section 7 and related language comes in the wake of the federal administration’s ongoing erosion of the constitutional right to due process, which every person has regardless of their status," he added. "The rhetoric and actions of this administration have led to tremendous stress and fear in our community, and we want to make sure all residents feel safe in engaging with local government, particularly with local law enforcement."
ICE, assisted by the FBI, said it "apprehended seven illegally present aliens during a routine enforcement operation in Annandale," Va., in February, which is located near Arlington County. (ICE)
"While Arlington Country sanctuary politicians work to thwart ICE, DHS will continue arresting criminal illegal aliens and getting them out of our country. Radical sanctuary politicians need to put the safety of the American people first, not criminal illegal aliens. No American wants criminal illegal aliens loose on America’s streets and neither should our leaders who represent them," she added.
"We find it extremely troubling that Arlington County leaders made the decision to prioritize politics ahead of public safety," ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement to Fox News. "Prohibiting local law enforcement from alerting federal authorities to the presence of an egregious hazard to their community only emboldens criminal offenders while putting people at risk."
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The agency has made 17 arrests in Arlington County so far this fiscal year, and three of those arrested were confirmed MS-13 gang members.
Fox News' Casey Clark contributed to this report.
Griff Jenkins currently serves as a Washington-based national correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC) and as a co-anchor of FOX News Live. He joined the network in 2003 as a radio producer and associate producer for War Stories with Oliver North.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/arlington-virginia-county-board-blocks-police-coordination-ice-more-cases