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ANALYSIS

Virginia: Arlington allocates $50,000 in aid to families whose primary provider has been detained by ICE

The council has decided not to require families to prove that the detained person had legal authorization to work in the United States, a condition that broadens access but has also fueled political debate surrounding the initiative.

Undocumented immigrants at Fort Bliss, Texas—File Photo

Undocumented immigrants at Fort Bliss, Texas—File PhotoAFP.

Carlos Dominguez
Published by
Carlos Dominguez

Arlington County, in Virginia, has approved an emergency fund of $50,000 to provide up to $2,000 per family to households whose primary breadwinner, even if they are in the country illegally, has been detained by federal immigration authorities (ICE).

The measure, reported by local newspaper ARLnow, was unanimously approved 4-0 at a special session of the County Board last Wednesday, aims to meet basic needs such as housing, food and public services over the next 10 months.

"We support our immigrant families and will not stop doing so," said Board Chair Matt de Ferranti. "We value the families of those who have been displaced and deported."

Decision and scope of the program

The program is implemented through a grant agreement with Arlington Thrive, the local nonprofit social safety net organization, which will distribute the funds in the form of checks or debit cards depending on each household's circumstances, including the option to explore alternatives if neither of those two options works.

The council has decided not to require families to prove that the detained individual had legal authorization to work in the United States, a condition that broadens access but has also fueled political debate surrounding the initiative.

According to the council's agenda, it is estimated that between 25 and 30 families will be eligible to receive benefits from this limited fund. Elizabeth Matlock, from the county manager's office and coordinator of the initiative, indicated that the funds will be available shortly and that "Thrive is eager to get started on this project."

A "pull factor" that would attract more undocumented immigrants

The initiative has drawn criticism from conservative circles and immigration experts, who warn of potential legal and public policy implications.

Jonathan Fahey, former acting director of ICE and former federal prosecutor, criticized county leaders and pointed out that they could be violating federal law by funding individuals who, in many cases, lack legal status, in addition to creating a "pull effect" that would attract more undocumented migrants.

According to a report by ABC 13, Fahey cited the federal alien harboring statute, which prohibits inducing or encouraging illegal entry or residence, and warned: "They are luring more illegal aliens to Arlington, which will also cost taxpayers even more money."

Nearly 400 of the detainees had criminal charges or convictions

The approval came in response to an increase in operations in the Washington metropolitan area during August. The operations reportedly resulted in more than 1,300 arrests of undocumented migrants in two weeks, according to DHS. 

As part of Operation Safe Community, ICE detained 1,328 undocumented individuals in Virginia and Maryland. Nearly 400 of them had criminal convictions or charges in the U.S., including sexual assault, kidnapping, murder and attempted murder, rape, drunk driving, hit-and-run, robbery and identity theft. 

The operation, centered in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., but extended to both states, also included the arrest of members of transnational gangs such as MS-13, 18th Street and Tren de Aragua.

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