Local authorities in Alexandria's Chirilagua neighborhood denounce Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) apprehension of construction workers

Local authorities in Alexandria's Chirilagua neighborhood denounce Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) apprehension of construction workers

In the heart of Alexandria's Chirilagua neighbourhood, a community known for its warm welcome to immigrants, a shocking event unfolded on the first day of school. Federal immigration agents arrested 15 construction workers at Eaton Square Apartments on Florence Drive. Witnesses reported that the agents provided no information about the reason for the arrests or where they were taking the workers. Community members filmed the arrests and confirmed the presence of 7 to 8 ICE agents during the operation. According to the Sheriff's Office website, Virginia law requires all sheriffs to determine the citizenship of individuals arrested on felony charges and share this information with ICE. However, the sheriff of Alexandria associated with immigration and who commented on cooperation with ICE is not identified in the provided search results. The Alexandria Sheriff's Office has stated that it will not use any taxpayer funds or accept any funding for immigration enforcement activities. This assurance, however, has done little to quell the concerns of the community, particularly given the significant Latino population in the area. Evelin Urrutia, executive director of Tenants and Workers United, confirmed the arrests and described the scene. She stated that the enforcement action in Chirilagua is part of a broader pattern affecting Virginia communities. Urrutia's organisation works with low-income communities of colour, primarily immigrants, to create changes in Northern Virginia. City Councilman Canek Aguirre criticized the enforcement action, describing it as an example of an "authoritarian regime." A community rally was held at 3801 Florence Drive, attended by city officials including Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, City Council member Abdel Elnoubi, and City Councilman Canek Aguirre. The arrested construction workers all worked for the same company, according to witnesses. Community members asked the apartment management company for information but received no response. As of mid-July 2025, 35 inmates have been transferred to ICE by the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, compared to 43 in all of 2024. Oliver Marino, a city resident and undocumented immigrant, described witnessing the workers earlier in the day. He expressed his concern for the safety of the children in the community, given the timing of the arrests coinciding with the first day of school. Community leaders criticized local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, specifically targeting Sheriff Sean Casey's policies. Tenants and Workers United organized the evening rally, urging for changes in the immigration enforcement practices in the city. The Alexandria Police Department is not involved in federal immigration enforcement and does not receive notification of ICE enforcement. This incident has once again brought the issue of immigration enforcement to the forefront of discussions in Alexandria, highlighting the need for transparency and community engagement in such matters.