ICE arrests more than 1,300 migrants in massive DC-area takedown
Federal immigration officers arrested more than 1,300 people in the Washington, D.C., region during a broad enforcement push known as Operation Safe Community, according to officials. On “Fox & Friends,” co-hosts examined the sweep, including arrests involving alleged MS-13 gang members and a suspect linked to fentanyl overdoses among students, underscoring renewed debate over border enforcement and public safety in local communities.
In Virginia, officials in Arlington County moved last week to create a $50,000 relief program for families whose primary breadwinner has been detained by federal immigration authorities.
The Arlington County Board approved the funding in a 4-0 vote during a special meeting on Sept. 2. The money will be administered by Arlington Thrive, a nonprofit that calls itself a “key component of the social safety net” and works in partnership with the county government.
According to the board’s agenda, qualifying households may receive as much as $2,000 if they have lost their primary wage earner. Arlington Thrive expects the allocation to help roughly 25 to 30 families.
Federal immigration authorities make an arrest in Arlington, Va., in February. Arlington County leaders recently voted to reserve $50,000 to provide up to $2,000 in assistance to families whose primary wage earner was detained by immigration authorities. (ICE)
“We stand with our immigrant families, and we will not stop doing so,” Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said. “We are valuing the families of those that have been displaced and removed.”
County leaders said the action comes amid stepped-up immigration enforcement efforts carried out by the Trump administration across the Washington, D.C., area in recent months.
Board Vice Chair Maureen Coffey defended the emergency aid, saying the county has a responsibility to support residents facing sudden hardship. “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,” Coffey said. “I’m very proud of us for doing this.”
Arlington County Board of Supervisors, from left, 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.
