ICE arrests more than 1,300 migrants in massive DC-area takedown
Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained more than 1,300 immigrants living in the U.S. illegally during a large-scale enforcement push across the Washington, D.C., region, an effort dubbed Operation Safe Community. On “Fox & Friends,” co-hosts discussed the arrests, including alleged MS-13 gang members and a suspect linked to student fentanyl overdoses, as the sweep renewed debate over border security, immigration enforcement and neighborhood safety.
Officials in one Northern Virginia county moved last week to create a $50,000 aid fund for households whose main provider has been taken into custody by federal immigration authorities.
During a special meeting on Sept. 2, the Arlington County Board voted 4-0 to allocate the money. The funding will be administered by Arlington Thrive, a nonprofit that says it serves as a “key component of the social safety net” in coordination with county government.
The assistance program will offer qualifying families up to $2,000 after the loss of a primary wage earner. According to the board’s agenda, Arlington Thrive expects the funding to help roughly 25 to 30 families.
Federal immigration authorities carry out an arrest in Arlington, Virginia, in February. Arlington County officials have since approved $50,000 in aid to provide eligible families up to $2,000 when a primary wage earner is detained by immigration authorities. (ICE)
“We stand with our immigrant families, and we will not stop doing so,” Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said. “We are valuing the families of those that have been displaced and removed.”
The move was in response to the Trump administration’s illegal immigration enforcement efforts in the Washington, D.C., area in recent months.
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“Ensuring that we take care of our community and our residents and our people does mean making sure that we have emergency assistance available for what is probably one of the most challenging situations that you could possibly face,” Board Vice Chair Maureen Coffey said. “I’m very proud of us for doing this.”
Arlington County Board of Supervisors (from left to right): Julius D. “JD” Spain, Sr., Susan Cunningham, Takis Karantonis, Board Chair Matt de Ferranti and Vice Chair Maureen Coffey. (Arlington County)
The funds will be distributed to families in the form of debit cards and checks.
Elizabeth Matlock, a staff member in the county manager’s office who is coordinating the effort, said the organization is ready to begin issuing funds.
“Thrive is eager to get started with this project,” she said.
The vote came as officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) quietly made more than 1,300 arrests of illegal immigrants over 14 days in the Washington, D.C., suburbs last month.
Of those arrested, almost 400 illegal immigrants had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, including a Salvadoran national wanted in Richmond, Virginia, on a murder warrant. Other crimes included rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, DUI, robbery and attempted murder.