Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks announcing "No Sanctuary Cities."
On Monday, January 20, President Trump issues 26 Executive Orders (EOs) lightning-rod directives to federal government agencies. Some orders launch the largest deportation in history; one aims to end birthright citizenship, and another orders a stop to the federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. EOs are one of the president's most impactful tools because no legislative approval is needed. EOs are not absolute, though; they must exist within the law. Overstepping a boundary? The EO can be challenged in court.
Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship, better known as the Birthright Citizen Order, is signed by Trump. "This order interprets birthright citizenship to exclude babies born in the U.S. to parents who are "unlawfully" present or who have the "lawful but temporary" status of their citizenship.
U.S.Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) posts at @GerryConnolly, "Mr. President, your new EO ending citizenship for children born in the US is patently unconstitutional. I am sending you a copy of the Constitution. Knowing your aversion to reading I have highlighted the 14th amdt (amendment) for your convenience. We abide by this sacred text in America."
The American Civil Liberties Union files a lawsuit to stop Trump's order. "Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional—it's also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values," Anthony D. Romero, ACLU's executive director, said in a press release on January 20.
Judge John Coughenour of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington issues a nationwide temporary restraining order in State of Washington v. Trump on Thursday, January 23. It blocks President Trump's executive order that aimed to end birthright citizenship for children born to migrants in the U.S. temporarily or without legal status. Coughenour issued the temporary restraining order after a hearing in Seattle. “I've been on the bench for four decades, I can't remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is," Coughenour said, describing Trump's order as "blatantly unconstitutional."
According to Washington State Office of the Attorney General, Attorney General Nick Brown, "A federal judge today granted Washington State's motion for a nationwide temporary restraining order against President Donald Trump's unconstitutional attempt to deny birthright citizenship to the children of immigrants who will be born in the United States. The judge's order blocks federal agencies from implementing the president's executive order on birthright citizenship while the court initially considers the case."
The 2021 Guidelines for Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas Memorandum is among Trump’s 78 EOs revoked from the Biden administration. It affects immigrants in schools, churches, hospitals, and other places that used to be safe. He also released 12 memos and four proclamations. According to the "Statement by the DHS Spokesperson on Directives Expanding Law Enforcement and Ending the Abuse of Humanitarian Parole, press release dated January 21, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman issued a directive that "rescinds the Biden Administration's guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement actions that thwart law enforcement in or near so-called 'sensitive" areas." DHS is the Department of Homeland Security.
A DHS spokesperson says in a press release, "This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murders and rapists—who have illegally come into our country. Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement and instead trusts them to use common sense."
VA.Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said they will pull funding from “localities who turn their backs on their citizens with policies in order to pander to pro-illegal immigrant groups, we will cut off their funding.” in his Dec. 12, 2024, “No Sanctuary Cities” budget proposal. “We are not a sanctuary state."
FCPS’ Resources for Immigrant Families states, ”FCPS is not aware of any efforts by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) or other law enforcement authorities to enter FCPS schools in order to arrest or detain students, parents, or staff. If enforcement actions are taken at our schools, FCPS will follow its existing policies and regulations governing access to students and student record information by law enforcement entities. We will do everything within our authority to protect our students and staff.”
The Conference of Catholic Bishops issues a statement in response to action taken by the Trump Administration rescinding guidance related to "protected areas" in immigration enforcement: “Non-emergency immigration enforcement in schools, places of worship, social service agencies, healthcare facilities, or other sensitive settings where people receive essential services would be contrary to the common good.” Turning places of care, healing, and solace into places of fear and uncertainty for those in need while endangering the trust between pastors, providers, educators and the people they serve will not make our communities safer.”
A memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove of the Justice Department directs federal prosecutors to investigate and bring criminal charges against state and local officials who refuse to cooperate with ICE.
ACLU People Power Fairfax posts January 23, "DOJ unconstitutionally directing prosecution of local efforts and officials viewed as obstructing ICE. To Chairman Jeff McKay and BOS: The DOJ knows this is unconstitutional & will be shot down in the courts, but figures local officials are afraid & will just go along. We know you'll keep your promise to uphold the Trust Policy, which complies with federal law. Now more than ever, it is needed to protect our immigrant families. Hamkae Center VACIR - Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights ACLU of Virginia VACOLAO - Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations Dalia Palchik, CASA Supervisor Rodney Lusk, Supervisor James Walkinshaw
Dranesville District - Supervisor Jimmy BiermanMason District - Supervisor Andres Jimenez, Supervisor Walter Alcorn,n and Supervisor Dan Storck Sully Supervisor Kathy Smith"
Early Sunday morning, ICE officers knocked on doors at the Beacon Hill Apartments in Alexandria, Fairfax County, Doorbell surveillance video provided to News4 and posted online "shows four officers all wearing vests that say" police" and "ERO" (Enforcement and Removal Operations). ERO is a part of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The property website for Beacon Hill Apartments says, "Language: English and Spanish" for contact.
An office spokesperson for Chairman Jeff McKay, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said in an email, "We have no knowledge of this incident other than what was in the news story." Fairfax County adopted its Trust Policy in January 2021; when asked about the policy, the spokesperson wrote, "It only relates to county operations, not federal immigration agencies." When sworn into office McKay says, “I will support the constitution of the United States.”