Key Takeaways
• Arlington County removed Section 7, ending all voluntary police cooperation with ICE, including for terrorism or gang cases.
• Activist campaigns like “ICE Out of Arlington” led the County Board to strengthen the Trust Policy after increased ICE activity.
• New policy opposes Virginia’s Executive Order 47, prioritizing immigrant trust even amid risks of future state-local policy conflict.
Arlington County, Virginia, has taken a big step in changing how local police work with federal immigration officials, most notably U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). On May 13, 2025, the Arlington County Board voted to remove what is known as “Section 7” from the county’s Trust Policy. This section had once given local police the power to contact ICE in certain cases involving undocumented people, including when someone was arrested for terrorism or had suspected gang connections. Now, even in these serious situations, Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) officers are no longer allowed to reach out to ICE on their own, unless absolutely required by law.
This new move did not come about overnight. It was the result of many years of pressure from immigrant advocacy groups and community members who believed that voluntary cooperation with ICE, even in some cases, put immigrant communities at risk. The change in policy is a dramatic shift in the way Arlington County handles immigration enforcement, standing out not only in the state but nationwide as well.
What Changed in the Arlington County Trust Policy?
Before this update, the Trust Policy allowed local police to tell ICE about undocumented individuals if those people met certain criteria. Specifically, the policy gave ACPD the option to reach out to ICE in three types of cases:
- If an undocumented person was arrested for terrorism charges.
- If a person was identified as a gang member wanted for certain felonies.
- If police officers decided that calling federal immigration authorities was necessary for immediate community safety.
After the removal of Section 7, all of these exceptions disappeared. Now, ACPD will not voluntarily contact ICE in any case, even those involving terrorism or serious gang activity. The only exceptions are when the law requires it — for example, if there is a federal warrant.
The main idea of the Trust Policy is to strengthen the trust between local government and immigrant communities. By removing the last loopholes that allowed police-ICE cooperation, Arlington County leaders are hoping more people will feel safe interacting with the police and using county services. According to an official county page, residents can find more information about county services for immigrants on the Arlington County Government immigration FAQ.
Why Did Activists Want Section 7 Gone?
For more than two years, activists in Arlington County have asked for all cooperation with ICE to end. Their campaign, called “ICE Out of Arlington,” gathered strength especially after police in the area started having more encounters with ICE in 2024 and 2025. These groups argued that when local police work with ICE, it stops immigrants—both documented and undocumented— from reporting crimes or even talking to officers if they need help.
Supporters of the policy change said:
- Voluntary police-ICE cooperation can make many in the community feel unsafe, including victims and witnesses of crime.
- Allowing any exceptions for contacting ICE would leave immigrant families vulnerable or afraid of seeking help.
- Arlington County should do more than the usual to protect its residents from the impact of federal immigration enforcement.
At County Board meetings, activists met with board members several times. According to Board member JD Spain, Sr., who backed the change, “We’ve met with folks from different organizations. We’ve heard you.” Over many months, community members and groups repetitively called on the Board to “remove Section 7” completely. Until now, the Board had made smaller edits to their Trust Policy, but not enough to satisfy advocates who felt previous changes did not go far enough.
What Sparked the Timing of This Change?
This spring’s vote to drop all voluntary police cooperation with ICE did not happen in isolation. Instead, it came as Virginia saw some of its highest recent levels of immigration enforcement activities. Several big changes in the landscape likely influenced both activists and county leadership in Arlington County:
- In February 2025, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a new executive order (Executive Order 47) directing state police and correction officers to help federal officials enforce immigration law.
- In March 2025, ICE and FBI agents carried out a sweep in Virginia, arresting dozens of undocumented immigrants for various federal violations.
- Community groups in Arlington noticed a sharp increase in local police-ICE interactions, which led to fears of wider cooperation or higher risks for immigrants seeking help from police.
With pressure mounting from both state officials to work more closely with federal agents and from advocates to pull back, Arlington County leaders faced a tough decision. On May 13, two days before the Board’s scheduled vote, Board Chair Takis Karantonis told a Democratic Committee meeting, “We are about to…remove Section 7,” signaling that the policy change was close at hand.
The Debate: Safety versus Fear
One of the biggest debates surrounding this issue was about safety. Some people argued that without the ability for local police to warn ICE about dangerous individuals, Arlington County might become less safe. Others strongly disagree.
Supporters of the change, including immigrant rights leaders, say that involving ICE in local cases can actually put everyone at more risk. When people are afraid of being reported to ICE, they may avoid telling the police about crimes or helping in investigations. This can make it harder for officers to do their work, especially in sensitive cases like domestic violence or gang threats.
On the other side, some in the broader Virginia community and outside groups say that giving up all voluntary cooperation, even in the case of terrorism or gang activity, is dangerous. They argue that it could tie the hands of police, making it harder to keep the wider community safe. However, Arlington County officials explained the aim is to build trust so more people will come forward about crime, making it easier for police to prevent real threats.
JD Spain, Sr. pointed to the Board’s process, saying that the policy was “massaged and manipulated” several times after feedback from all sides. Despite those tweaks, it became clear many wanted all exceptions erased. The final version of the policy satisfied long-term campaigners who said any exceptions, no matter how limited, still made people afraid.
State and Local Tensions
This move by Arlington County comes against a backdrop of rising tension between some local governments and the government of Virginia. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order, which pushes local law enforcement to help with federal immigration policy, puts extra pressure on counties like Arlington that want to limit their involvement.
This means Arlington County, with its new policy, is now going in the opposite direction of statewide efforts to increase immigration enforcement. This difference could lead to disputes about which rules local officers need to follow, and whether the state or local government has the final say.
Still, by ending all voluntary police-ICE communication, the Arlington County Board is sending a strong message: they want to stand by their immigrant community, even when that puts them in conflict with the state.
What the Future Might Hold
By removing Section 7, Arlington County has set a new standard for local trust policies. The big question is how this will play out in reality. Will more immigrants now come forward to report crimes? Will other counties follow Arlington’s lead, or will the state try to force changes?
While the situation is still fresh, a few things are clear:
- Undocumented immigrants in Arlington may feel more secure seeking police help, knowing officers won’t contact ICE except when absolutely necessary.
- Police will need clear training on when they can and can’t work with ICE, especially because new state orders encourage just the opposite.
- There may be legal disputes or efforts by state officials to make Arlington change this decision, especially if they claim it poses a threat to public safety.
The outcome will affect many groups: immigrants, their families, police officers, and others living in the county. The policy change may also push other local governments to consider their own stances on immigration enforcement.
Historical Background
Arlington County’s Trust Policy first came about in 2022 as a way to improve relationships between the county and its large immigrant community. Over time, it became one of the strictest “non-cooperation” policies in the state. The 2024 update removed some exceptions, but Section 7 remained a sticking point for advocates.
Why did Arlington County feel this was so important? Over several years, both national and state politics have made it clear that immigration issues are not just about border states anymore. When local law enforcement works with ICE, even on a small scale, it can ripple outward, making immigrant populations everywhere cautious about dealing with any government office.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these kinds of trust policies are becoming more common as communities look for ways to balance local safety needs with the real risks many immigrants face when local and federal laws collide.
What Does This Mean for Other Counties?
Arlington County’s move could encourage other local governments to rethink how they interact with ICE. Some counties in Virginia and across the country already have policies in place that limit police contact with federal immigration officials. But Arlington’s policy, with zero exceptions even for terrorism or gangs, goes further than most. This may spark new conversations in other communities about how to protect immigrant residents while still keeping their communities safe.
In some places, these kinds of strict trust policies have led to increased community trust, better cooperation with police, and even a lower crime rate. However, critics continue to warn that taking away police tools—even those rarely used—can make law enforcement’s job harder if real threats appear.
The Role of ICE Moving Forward
Despite the Arlington County Board’s decision, ICE will still be able to enforce federal immigration law on its own. The difference now is that local police will not play a voluntary part unless a direct legal requirement exists. ICE can still carry out its operations in Arlington, but it won’t have local officers’ help for most cases.
There remain uncertainties about how ICE will react locally, especially as statewide enforcement efforts increase. The FBI and ICE made dozens of arrests across Virginia in March 2025, showing federal agencies can and will work without local assistance when needed.
Conclusion: A New Path For Arlington County
The end of Section 7 marks a turning point for Arlington County’s relationship with its immigrant community and with ICE. By fully cutting off voluntary communication between local police and federal immigration authorities—even for high-profile crimes—the county has chosen to prioritize trust, safety, and community relationships above all else.
For immigrants and their families, this offers more assurance that coming forward won’t put them at greater risk. For county officials, it sets a new example of how far local governments can go, even when state and federal pressures are strong.
As the dust settles, Arlington County’s next steps will surely be watched by other cities and counties. How well the county manages the balance between safety, law, and community faith could influence statewide and even national debates about the right way to support both immigrants and the communities in which they live.
Learn Today
Trust Policy → A county guideline limiting when local police can share information with federal immigration authorities, to build community trust.
Section 7 → The part of Arlington’s policy that allowed police to inform ICE in certain severe criminal cases, now removed.
Voluntary cooperation → Police working with ICE or other federal agencies beyond what is legally required, by their own decision.
Executive Order 47 → A 2025 Virginia directive requiring state officers to aid federal immigration law enforcement, increasing statewide scrutiny.
ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) → A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and conducting deportations within the United States.
This Article in a Nutshell
Arlington County, Virginia, has ended all voluntary police cooperation with ICE—even for terrorism or gangs. This landmark decision follows years of activist pressure and increased statewide enforcement. The change aims to build immigrant trust, even as Virginia mandates more cooperation, setting Arlington apart and prompting nationwide discussion.
— By VisaVerge.com
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