Immigrant communities in Virginia are facing unprecedented challenges, now greatly complicated by the COVID-19 crisis. Below is a list of some of the organizations that offer services to immigrants in the state.
COMMEMORATING THE 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF ABBIE’S TIME IN SANCTUARY
RICHMOND, VA, June 28 — A multiracial crowd of nearly 75 people gathered last night at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond near Byrd Park to commemorate the second anniversary of a young immigrant mother taking sanctuary at the church to avoid deportation.
TRUMP’S DHS TO SEND ‘SWAT’ TEAMS TO SANCTUARY CITIES
Defying the vicious, anti-immigrant offensive of the Trump administration, a total of 182 U.S. cities, counties and states have declared themselves “sanctuary cities,” refusing to cooperate with federal immigration agents. In response, the Department of Homeland Security is now planning to send Border Patrol “SWAT” teams to these jurisdictions.
TEACH-IN ON IMMIGRANT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
On Sept. 21, the Richmond Peace Education Center co-sponsored an event in Richmond’s Monroe Park with the League of United Latin American Citizens, ReEstablish Richmond, and other immigrant and social justice advocacy organizations.
UPDATE ON ABBIE
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has rescinded a nearly $300,000 fine it had threatened to levy against Abbie Arevalo-Herrera, a Central American immigrant who has been living in the basement of the First Unitarian Church of Richmond since June of 2018. The fine was for violation of a deportation order.
YES, YOU CAN FIGHT ICE!
They say you can’t fight City Hall, but how about ICE? A group of mostly women in the Richmond area are showing that you can.
SOLIDARITY WITH IMMIGRANTS
A photo update showing a crowd gathering at the Virginia State Capitol on July 12, 2019, to show solidarity with immigrants in the face of Trump’s most recent attacks.
The Virginia Defender 