Resources For Immigrants

Arlington’s Commitment to Strengthening Trust with our Immigrant Community

Trust Policy Posted (July 2022)

View Trust Policy in Multiple Languages:

The Arlington County 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. Learn more about the County’s enforcement policies.

• ACPD Fact Sheet  |  en español
• ACPD Policy 523.04 Immigration Status and Access to Police Services

Know Your Rights

There are many resources to learn about your rights, as well as information about the official path to Citizenship.

• Arlington Human Rights Commission and Complaint Forms
• National Immigration Law Center
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
  • Family Preparedness Plan
• United We Dream
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Legal Aid Services and Resources

The following organizations assist immigrants in need of legal help and other services such as power of attorney.

• CAIR – Capital Area Immigrants Rights Coalition
• Just Neighbors (Immigration Legal Services)
• Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC)
  • Arlington Service Providers – Immigration Updates 2-5-18 (PowerPoint Presentation)
• Northern Virginia Family Services

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 development opportunities are also available in child care and computer skills. 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.
• 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

• 60 Resources for Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Communities

County Support of Legal Aid and Other Services

Arlington County provides support to the following organizations that provide legal aid and other services to immigrants:

• Legal Aid Justice Center & April 2, 2019 Amendment #1 to Grant to Legal Aid Justice Center for Immigration Legal Aid Services: to help low-income immigrant workers and their families build assets and increase self-sufficiency by offering legal assistance and information
• Ayuda: to provide immigration legal services to low-income immigrants eligible for humanitarian remedies, including consultations, case representations and information
• Just Neighbors: for on-site legal clinics to help immigrants receive work authorizations, facilitate family unification, and assist with domestic violence issues
• 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

Local, State and Federal Policy Statements on Immigration

Local

• Arlington County Board Message on Immigration (Jan. 17, 2017) | en español | Watch the video
• County Manager Statement on Immigration (Feb. 27, 2017) | en español
• Arlington County Public Schools Letter (March 2, 2017)  | en español
• County Manager Letter to Arlington County Employees on Immigration (March 10, 2017)
• FAQ on Immigration for Arlington County Employees  (March 10, 2017)
• County Manager Letter to US Sec’y of State & Sec’y of Homeland Security in support of resettlement of refugees in Arlington (Oct. 22, 2019)
• County Board posts Draft Trust Policy (June 2022)
• County Board post Final Trust Policy (July 2022)

State

• Commonwealth of Virginia Guidance Regarding School Division Responsibilities and Actions Under the Law in Reference to Students and Immigration (March 1, 2017)

Federal

• White House Presidential Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements (Jan. 25, 2017)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security MEMO: Implementing the President’s Border Security Immigration Enforcement Improvement Policies
• White House Presidential Executive Order: Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States (Jan. 25, 2017)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Memo: Enforcement of the Immigration Laws to Serve the National Interest (Feb. 20, 2017)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Memo: Implementing the President’s Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements Policies  (Feb. 20, 2017)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security/ICE Memo: Enforcement Actions at or Focused on Sensitive Locations (Oct. 24, 2011)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration Detainee Locator Website

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.