A debate is unfolding in Alexandria over how closely the local sheriff’s office should work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). City leaders and law enforcement officials are struggling to agree on what level of cooperation is appropriate, and the disagreement has created noticeable tension throughout Alexandria.
Growing Disagreement Over ICE Cooperation in Alexandria
The Alexandria City Council has asked the sheriff’s office to stop working with ICE in any voluntary way. Both sides agree on one important point: the sheriff’s deputies are not helping ICE detain people on the streets of Alexandria. However, the main disagreement lies in what happens inside the jail when someone already in custody is wanted by federal immigration officials.
State law says a sheriff “may” hand over an undocumented person to ICE if there is a detainer request. City leaders say the word “may” shows it is optional, not required. This single word has become central to the discussion in Alexandria.
From January through August this year, 1,552 people were arrested in Alexandria. Out of those, 40 were transferred to ICE. The sheriff’s office says most of those transfers involved individuals charged with serious crimes. Data shared from previous years shows the practice has been consistent.
The sheriff has repeatedly said he does not enforce immigration laws in the Alexandria community. He says he has refused orders from the state governor to work with ICE, ended an existing contract with the agency, and only allows ICE to take custody of someone if there is a federal arrest warrant.
Alexandria Debate Over Judicial vs. Administrative Warrants
Another disagreement emerges because the term “federal arrest warrant” covers both judicial warrants and administrative warrants. Judges sign judicial warrants, while immigration officers can sign administrative warrants. City leaders argue that these two types of warrants differ in important ways.
A judge or magistrate issues a judicial warrant and follows strict legal standards. Everyone agrees the sheriff must follow these warrants.
A federal agency such as the Department of Homeland Security issues an administrative warrant, and it does not require a judge’s approval. Because of this, city leaders say the sheriff chooses to cooperate with ICE when he honors administrative warrants, even though the law does not require him to do so.
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They say immigrant families in Alexandria feel more fear when local authorities honor administrative warrants. Some community members believe ICE has changed its approach over time. Even though ICE says it focuses on people involved in crime, residents say they worry the agency may target people for speaking different languages or looking different.
For this reason, the council wants the sheriff to follow only judicial warrants and treat administrative warrants as optional. They want Alexandria to match nearby counties that transfer people to ICE only when a judge has signed a warrant.
City leaders also emphasize that they do not accuse the sheriff of breaking the law. They recognize that the sheriff’s office operates independently and that state law gives the office discretion. However, they believe the sheriff chooses this practice voluntarily, and they say he can change it to better protect people in Alexandria.
City Council Issues a Strong Statement
During the recent city council meeting, leaders read a collective statement about immigration enforcement in Alexandria. They praised the city’s strong immigrant communities and emphasized that public safety and protecting families do not conflict with each other.
The council strongly criticized ICE’s use of fear-based tactics, saying these practices harm trust within Alexandria neighborhoods. They stated that they do not support any voluntary cooperation with ICE when the law does not require it.
While acknowledging the sheriff’s authority, they urged him to stop transferring people based on administrative detainers and warrants. They pointed to neighboring areas where transfers happen only with judicial warrants and encouraged Alexandria to follow a similar approach.
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The council noted that this ICE cooperation program has existed under many past leaders, regardless of political party. Still, because of what they describe as troubling federal enforcement tactics, they said it is important for Alexandria to take a stronger stance now.
Until discussions continue, city leaders say they will stand with immigrant communities in Alexandria and explore policies to help ensure everyone feels safe.
