A Solidarity Statement issued by the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality

Jan. 27, 2025

The Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality strongly condemn the many executive orders issued by the Trump administration that aim to intimidate, criminalize and threaten the livelihood of immigrant communities in the United States.

One of the first orders signed by President Donald Trump would end birthright citizenship for any child born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants. While the order has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge, the possibility of upending a Constitutional right established 157 years ago by the 14th Amendment is more than alarming. Further, the president removed protective policies that prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from entering previously protected places such as schools, hospitals, churches, funerals and public demonstrations. These policies demonstrate the administration’s extreme xenophobia and racism.

Before the first week of Trump’s new term was over, we already saw swift enforcement of these policies, both at the Southern border and across the country. Agricultural workers in Kern, Calif., experienced ICE raids at their place of work, resulting in at least 79 people being detained. In Newark, N.J., U.S. immigration agents rounded up workers – undocumented and U.S. citizens alike – during another work raid. As of Jan. 27, the number of those detained is in the thousands. Communities throughout the country are taking these threats seriously and are pressuring their state and local representatives to do the right thing and stand against these xenophobic measures.

Hundreds of migrants awaiting asylum at the Mexico-U.S. border received a message informing them that their appointments had been cancelled. Asylum-seeking migrants often wait weeks, if not months, for these scheduled appointments. The cancellation of these meetings, along with the placement of barbed wire buoys and other measures, ensure that getting into the U.S. becomes a virtually impossible task.

It’s important to point out that anti-immigrant legislation can’t be blamed solely on Trump. The new Laken Riley Act has passed Congress with support from Democrats and Republicans alike. This law permits the arrest and detention of undocumented immigrants for crimes as petty as shoplifting, regardless of whether or not they are convicted of the crime, thus robbing people of their right to due process.

Here in Virginia, it remains unclear how or if these federal laws will be enforced. On the one hand, Gov. Glenn Youngkin released a statement in December declaring full support for ICE and threatening to cut funding to any “sanctuary” city in the state. Shortly after this statement, House Bill 2389 was brought to the General Assembly by Del. Geary Higgins, a Republican representing Loudoun County. This bill attempts to force all Virginia cities to collaborate with ICE by issuing penalties if they refuse to do so.

On the other hand, Richmond’s new mayor, Danny Avula, himself an immigrant, promised during his run for office that under his jurisdiction city police would not collaborate with ICE. Richmond’s police chief, Rick Edwards, has publicly stated that, “Folks who have concerns about their immigration status will have no issues with the Richmond Police department.”

Unfortunately, these statements are not enough.

On May 7, 2008, ICE agents, assisted by Virginia state troopers, raided the site in downtown Richmond where the new federal courthouse was being constructed and arrested 33 immigrant workers from six Central and South American countries – just before they were to receive their last paycheck.

Reportedly, Richmond police did not participate in the raid, but neither did they or any city official lift a finger to stop it.

With the exception of the Indigenous peoples of this land and those brought in chains to provide enslaved labor, everyone here is, or is descended from, an immigrant. Through Imperialism, the United States has exploited and ravaged countries globally, thus creating the very conditions that have left people no other choice than to leave their homes in search of safety and stability. Leaving one’s country is not a choice that most want to make, as the risks and sacrifices are many: leaving loved ones behind, facing the strangeness of a completely new culture, putting one’s physical safety on the line. People who come here are often exploited, mistreated and discriminated against. This is not a choice many people would make unless they absolutely had to.

Further, the U.S. has consistently used immigrants and People of Color as scapegoats for its problems. We are told to hate immigrants because “they” are the reason “we” are struggling and are unable to afford our basic needs, such as groceries and healthcare. The reality is that the ruling class continues to get rich off immigrant and working-class labor while the poor get poorer regardless of how hard we work. Immigrants are not the problem. They are our neighbors, friends and fellow community members.

Many people’s instinct is to defend immigrants by speaking about what good workers they are, how much money they pay in taxes, the richness of the cultures they share, etc. Although true, in the end this is irrelevant. People don’t need to be extraordinary to deserve the basic human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We demand that local and state government officials take concrete steps to stand up to Trump’s attacks.

Meanwhile, Virginia’s immigrant communities are not giving up. They are organizing systems of support to empower and protect themselves. They are connecting and collaborating with different organizations, groups and communities to build collective power.

We invite every conscientious person in the city and state to stand up and advocate for our immigrant communities. We cannot simply stand idly by and watch people’s rights get taken away. It is crucial that all of us unite and protect those targeted by these attacks.

To our immigrant communities we say this: You belong here. You are not alone. You have rights. There are community members and organizations that have your back. We will not let the government rip you from our city and state. We will do whatever we can to defend everyone who lives here.

And we call on all Virginia unions; civic, student and activist organizations; places of worship; nonprofits; elected officials; and all individuals to show your support for this effort by endorsing this statement. Please send your name, the name of your organization, your position in the organization, your city or county and your email address to DefendersFJE@hotmail.com. We will be publicizing the endorsements as they come in.

As the old union battle cry put it, “An Injury to One is an Injury to All!”

Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality

Mail: PO Box 23202, Richmond, VA 23222

Email: defendersfje@hotmail.com

Phone/Text: (804) 644-5834