Resources For Immigrants
Recursos para inmigrantes
Arlington’s Commitment to Strengthening Trust with our Immigrant Community
Trust Policy Posted (Updated Nov. 2024)(PDF, 156KB)
The Arlington County Trust Policy(PDF, 156KB) was updated and adopted by the County Board on November 16, 2024. The updates included clarification on the forms of identification that Police Officers may rely on to establish a person's identity. It also clarifies the circumstances in which ACPD may initiate contact with federal immigration authorities.
The original Trust Policy was adopted by the County Board on July 19th, 2022. During the meeting, members of the public had the opportunity to offer comment. The Trust Policy lays out standards to protect confidentiality and enhance public trust, including:
- Prohibiting the disclosure of information related to citizenship or immigration status.
- Federal immigration law is the sole responsibility of the Federal government and that use of County resources in such efforts is inappropriate.
- Using County resources to provide access to any personal identifiable information to immigration enforcement officials is prohibited.
- Employees shall not threaten, coerce, or intimidate anyone based on their citizenship or immigration status.
- No County resources may be used to assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals based on citizenship, immigration status, race, national or ethnic origin, language proficiency, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age.
- Arlington County does not and will not require any resident to provide proof of legal presence in order to access county government services unless required by Federal or State law.
For more information on the process, visit the County Board website.
Public Safety
The role of Arlington County law enforcement is to keep our community safe, not to enforce federal immigration laws. The Arlington County Police will continue to work with residents, civic associations and others to maintain strong relationships vital to public safety.
Know Your Rights
There are many resources to learn about your rights, as well as information about the official path to Citizenship.
Legal Aid Services and Resources
The following organizations assist immigrants in need of legal help and other services such as power of attorney.
See the full list
Arlington County Resources
For Individuals
- Citizenship Classes: The Arlington Community Outreach Program also offers free, virtual Citizenship Classes on weekday afternoons and evenings. Interested students should register for the classes by phone to ensure that they are eligible (or will soon be eligible) for naturalization and can speak, read and write basic English. Call 703-228-1198 to register and for more information.
- Citizenship Scholarship: Arlington County offers a Citizenship Scholarship to pay the application fee charged by USCIS to those seeking to become U.S. citizens. Arlington residents, as well as those who work in Arlington and those who attend Arlington citizenship classes are eligible based on their household income. Contact Susan at sstolpe@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-1198 for more information.
- English Classes: The Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP) provides English classes to adults in Arlington, Virginia. REEP integrates language, U.S. culture, digital literacy, community involvement, and workforce preparation into all course instruction. Career certification opportunities are also available in child care, customer service, and MS Office. Learn more.
- Hogar Immigrant Services Naturalization Workshops: Catholic Charities’ Hogar Immigrant Services conducts periodic Naturalization Workshops to assist eligible applicants in completing U.S. citizenship applications. Call 703-534-9805 for the dates of upcoming workshops. Catholic Charities also offers a variety of other services, including legal assistance, workforce development, and refugee assistance.
- Housing & Eviction Resources: Arlington County’s housing and rental assistance programs seek to help tenants facing eviction.
- Food Resources: The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is committed to providing free supplemental groceries to any Arlington County resident who cannot afford to purchase enough food for themselves or their families. Open to all regardless of race, religion, immigration status, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, first language, gender, or disability. Learn more about AFAC. Additionally, find an interactive map of all County free food resources.
- Watch: Employment Rights of Immigrants & Non-Citizens Forum
- Watch: US Naturalization Ceremony in Arlington County
For Organizations
County Support of Legal Aid and Other Services
Arlington County provides support, through contracts and competitive grant awards, to the following organizations that provide legal aid and other services to immigrants:
- Just Neighbors: for on-site legal clinics to help immigrants receive work authorizations, facilitate family unification, and assist with domestic violence issues
- ECDC: to support immigrants through legal services, employment services, health education, and housing education and resources.
- Restoration Immigration Legal Aid: providing legal guidance to support asylum seekers and youth seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile status
- Edu Futuro Emerging Leaders: to empower immigrant youth to achieve academically and enhance their leadership abilities through after-school programming
- Liberty’s Promise: to provide an internship and after-school civic engagement program for low-income immigrant youth at Wakefield High School
Please note: This page contains links to several resources and organizations outside of Arlington County Government. The presence of these links does not imply, and should not be interpreted as endorsement, sanction, approval or authorization of these sites or their content. Arlington County Government makes no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, concerning the content or accuracy of any material on any external website links.