FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Laura Trask
Director of Development and Communications
[email protected]
Washington, D.C. (December 16, 2024) –
Ayuda strongly condemns Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposal to introduce language in the state budget that would deny funding to local law enforcement agencies that refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests. This policy would erode trust between Virginia’s growing immigrant community and local agencies tasked with ensuring public safety.
As an organization that serves low-income immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes, Ayuda understands the profound harm this policy could have on public safety. Immigrants already face significant barriers to accessing public assistance and justice, including limited knowledge of their rights, language barriers, financial dependence, isolation, and threats of retaliation by abusers.
Adding mistrust of law enforcement and fear of deportation to these barriers would further endanger immigrant survivors and deter them from seeking the help they need. Ayuda works closely with local law enforcement, particularly Victim Services Divisions, to assist victims in reporting crimes and participating in investigations and prosecutions. These partnerships are most effective when communities trust their local agencies, free from fear of immigration consequences. Governor Youngkin’s proposal would undermine this trust, weakening public safety and discouraging crime victims from coming forward.
This budget proposal would not make our communities safer, even as it purports to do so. Research consistently shows that immigrants, including undocumented individuals, are less likely to commit crimes than native-born residents. Policies based on the false narrative that immigrants pose a public safety risk not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also distract from addressing real community needs.
Ayuda remains committed to helping immigrant survivors find safety and stability for themselves and their families after their victimization. Ayuda urges Governor Youngkin and other elected officials to prioritize facts and compassion over fearmongering. Lawmakers should focus on policies that build trust, strengthen community safety, and support all Virginia residents, regardless of immigration status.
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About Ayuda:
Ayuda provides direct legal, social, and language access services to low-income immigrants in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Since 1973, Ayuda has served more than 150,000 immigrants throughout the region. Ayuda is the only nonprofit service provider in the area that provides a wide range of immigration and family law assistance, social services, and language access support for all immigrants – including women, men, and children – from anywhere in the world. Visit www.ayuda.com to learn more.