Alexandria City residents, like millions across the country, are deeply concerned by recent directives from DOJ and the Administration requiring separation of families and criminalization of political asylees and refugees. Each local community is standing up to this injustice through local action and organizing.

Currently, our Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) that includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office does not require ICE to present a judicial warrant, issued by a court and signed by a judge, in order to pick someone up from the jail.

Communities with ties to ICE are less safe for residents when contact with law enforcement could mean separation from families, detention, or deportation.

Over the last few months, a number of individuals, grassroots coalitions, organizations, and immigration lawyers have been in dialogue with Alexandria City Council, State Delegates, and the Sheriff’s Office to request that the Sheriff:

1) Remove ICE from the City of Alexandria Jail’s Intergovernmental Agreement

2) Require a judicial warrant, and therefore judicial review, before allowing ICE to take individuals from the jail and deport them.

These changes aim to protect families and everyone’s civil rights by ensuring that all residents, no matter where they are born, are treated fairly and with due process under the law.

I, Marilyn Siwek, a concerned and involved resident of Alexandria City, am asking my neighbors to sign this petition to stand together to protect families. Time is of the essence to stand up for Alexandria community values. We must act in solidarity with people of conscience across the country and our region who are choosing to support families, rather than staying silent.

Please sign the petition to show your support for these policy changes currently being negotiated. We must expect our community leaders to be on the right side of history and do the right thing at this critical time. A community forum is being organized and we will alert you of details if you’re interested in attending and learning more.