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

Advocacy groups push for immigration reform

Left to right: Dong Yoon Kim, Emily Kessel, and Edgar Aranda-Yanoc at NAKASEC offices in Annandale. Despite disappointing election results – with the Republicans retaining control of both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates – advocates for the local immigrant community are stepping up their efforts to fight for immigrants’ access to health care … Continued

Just Neighbors offers a life line to local immigrants

A green card. Like many undocumented residents of the Annandale/Mason area, Alejandro didn’t see much of a future for himself after he graduated from Annandale High School. Just Neighbors, an immigrant advocacy organization based in Bailey’s Crossroads, helped him attain status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which allows certain people who came to … Continued

Lawsuit challenges tenant fees for AC in Culmore apartments

Olde Salem Village The website for the Olde Salem Village apartments in Bailey’s Crossroads describes them as “beautiful” with “well designed kitchens” and “close to the East Falls Church Metro.” In fact, Olde Salem Village is a bug-infested, poorly maintained apartment complex with outdated appliances in tiny kitchens. It’s located in the crime-ridden Culmore area … Continued

Virginia immigrant youths can now pay in-state tuition for higher education

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has determined that undocumented immigrants youths who meet certain requirements are considered as having “Virginia domicile,” which means they are eligible for in-state tuition at the state’s colleges and universities. Herring made the announcement April 29 at the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). The ruling applies to … Continued

State lawmakers update Annandale residents on actions in Richmond

Virginia General Assembly For the Democratic legislators that represent the Annandale/Mason area in the Virginia General Assembly, it’s been nearly impossible to get anything passed by the Republican-controlled House of Delegates. Nevertheless, Del. Kaye Kory, Sen. Dave Marsden, and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw have been able to make some limited progress, they told constituents … Continued

Immigrant students sue for right to pay in-state college tuition

NOVA student Giancarla Rojas Mendoza and Tim Freilich of the Legal Aid Justice Center. Giancarla Rojas Mendoza, 18, worked really hard as a student at Falls Church High School and planned to attend George Mason University, majoring in economics and political science. But when she learned she would have to pay the out-of-state tuition rate, … Continued