Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Bills to curb police cooperation with ICE advance in the General Assembly

Legislation to limit law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration actions is moving through the Virginia General Assembly. Three related bills introduced by Sen. Saddam Salim (D-Merrifield) were passed by the Virginia Senate 21-19 on “crossover day” on Feb. 17. That’s the date when all bills passed by the Senate or the House of Delegates move … Continued

Library offers naturalization test prep

By Shane Gomez Green-card holders and other residents hoping to become United States citizens can turn to George Mason Regional Library for help. The library is offering free drop-in preparation for the civics portion of the U.S. naturalization test. The weekly sessions started last week and run through Aug. 29. The U.S. naturalization process involves … Continued

Editorial: The cuts are hitting home

By Michelle Rosenfeld, Annandale resident If you live in Annandale, recent actions from the federal government aren’t some far-off political drama – they’re personal. Your neighbors are being laid off. Lifesaving research is being defunded. Families are being torn apart by mass deportations. These decisions affect our schools, our hospitals, our construction sites, our economy, … Continued

Immigrant rights groups respond to mass deportation threat

Facing the threat of mass deportations, local immigrant rights groups are stepping up their rapid response activities to protect vulnerable community members. President-Elect Trump’s threat to deport millions of people, including those with legal status, is causing fear among Northern Virginia’s immigrant communities. People are afraid to enroll their children in school or go the … Continued

More than 3 percent of all Mason District residents are in deportation proceedings

The Immigration Court at 1901 S. Bell St. in Crystal City handles deportation, asylum, and related cases from all over Virginia. [A. Baros/VOA] In Mason District, 3.6 percent of the total population are in deportation proceedings.  That number reflects the huge backlog of deportation cases in Virginia, as well as the large immigrant population in … Continued

Afghan refugee challenges Rep. Connolly in Democratic primary

Congressional candidate Zainab Mohsini (right) with volunteers (from the left) Billy Bates, Will McLauchlin, and Jackson Anderson. Campaigning during a pandemic is so much more challenging, says congressional candidate Zainab Mohsini. It’s especially difficult for a political neophyte and progressive like Mohsini, an immigrant from Afghanistan, who’s up against the well-known and well-funded Rep. Gerry … Continued

Fewer immigrants applying for childcare

Story time at the CDC. Fewer immigrant families are enrolling their children in the Child Development Center (CDC) operated by the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) as a result of the climate of fear created by the Trump Administration’s anti-immigrant policies. In addition to the high-profile ICE raids and stepped-up deportation actions, the Administration’s … Continued