Immigration Arrests In Alexandria Neighborhood Condemned By Immigrant Advocates

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Amid the first day of school in Alexandria, there was a report of immigration arrests in an Alexandria neighborhood.

Advocacy group Tenants and Workers United said the arrests affected construction workers at the Eaton Square Apartments in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood. The group said community members filmed masked federal agents arresting workers. The agents did not tell witnesses what the arrests were for.

ALX Now was the first to report on a community rally to condemn the 15 arrests. Arlandria-Chirilagua is an Alexandria neighborhood with a significant Latino and immigrant community.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Patch they are working to confirm if the involved federal officers in Alexandria on Monday were with ICE.

"We denounce this abhorrent action by ICE against our immigrant community," said Evelin Urrutia, Executive Director of Tenants and Workers United. "The people arrested were working on the roof of an apartment building when they were targeted and abducted by masked federal agents. This comes as families were ready to pick up their children on the first day of classes. We call on Alexandria city leaders to stand in solidarity with immigrants and speak out against ICE in our community."

Councilmember Canek Aguirre, who became the first Latino to serve on Alexandria City Council, released a statement condemning the immigration arrests.

“Masked individuals in tactical gear and unmarked vehicles refusing to identify themselves have chosen the start of a new school year to inflict more fear and terror for many of our neighbors and friends in Alexandria," said Aguirre. "The Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood is home to a community of immigrants, working families, local businesses, and nonprofits that have contributed to Alexandria's vibrancy and economic success for decades. It is unfortunate this administration continues to waste our tax dollars to target families and workers doing their jobs."