Tactical ICE Units May Be Deployed In NoVA This Weekend: Reports

VIRGINIA — As thousands of people plan to demonstrate against the Trump Administration this weekend in the Washington, D.C. area, Northern Virginia may also see an influx of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents at the same time.

With "No Kings" protests are planned for Saturday afternoon around Northern Virginia, the demonstration means to counter the administration's actions at the same time the administration holds a large-scale parade for the Army's 250th anniversary, which also happens to be President Donald Trump's birthday.

But despite the planned protest, federal immigration authorities may be out in force in Virginia this weekend.

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According to multiple news outlets, ICE is planning to deploy tactical units to various cities as it cracks down on people living in the country illegally. ICE Special Response Teams are reportedly coming to Northern Virginia this weekend, as well as Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Seattle, reports state.

SRTs are tactical units under ICE that are used for operations which are considered high risk, NBC10 reports.

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Most recently, SRTs were deployed in Los Angeles, which led to protests and ultimately the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to the city.

Trump has also suggested California Gov. Gavin Newsom be arrested by border czar Tom Homan.

"The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor," Newsom said on social media. "This is a day I hoped I would never see in America."

Patch reached out on Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security for confirmation that ICE officers would be deployed in Northern Virginia this weekend. The request was forwarded to ICE Public Affairs, but no response has been received.

Patch also contacted several law enforcement agencies in Northern Virginia for confirmation of the deployment.

"Federal immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government and Arlington County does not have information on ICE arrests or actions," said Ashley Savage, a public information officer with Arlington County Police. "Arlington County will comply with all state and federal laws and remains committed to ensuring public safety."

A spokesman with the City of Fairfax Police said that information about such deployments would not be something ICE would share with their department.

"We cannot confirm this information at this time," a Virginia State Police spokesman told Patch on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, ICE agents detained 11 men outside an immigration court in Sterling, according to NBC4.

“We understand that court cases are being dismissed by the ICE prosecutors inside and people are being told they have the ability to appeal," said Sofia Saiyed, one of the activists at the scene, as reported by NBC4. "And then telling the judge they want to appeal, and as they walk out of the courtroom, they are being detained in the hallway."

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A Prince William County Police spokesperson said the department is not aware of any planned ICE activities in Northern Virginia. While the agency is aware of the No Kings protests on Saturday, police are not aware of anything of concern at this time.

In April, ICE officers, with the help of the state police and other federal law enforcement agents, arrested Marvin Mateo-Alberto of Herndon.

The arrest came months after Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid declined to honor an ICE detainer request and instead released Mateo-Alberto on Jan. 15.

“Marvin Mateo-Alberto stands accused of some very appalling and disturbing crimes and represents a threat to the children of our Virginia communities,” said Russell Hott, director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office. “We cannot in good conscience allow Mr. Mateo to continue to potentially threaten other children in our neighborhoods. ICE Washington, D.C. will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien threats from our streets.”

Fairfax County Police arrested Mateo-Alberto in Herndon on Jan. 2, citing him on felony charges of aggregated sexual battery by a parent of a child 13-17 years of age and incest with a child 13-17 years old. He was out on bond at the time of his arrest, according to court records.

On Wednesday, Patch reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice for a status update on Mateo-Alberto's case. No response has been received.

Patch Editor Emily Leayman contributed reporting.

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