Homeland Security memo condemns Charlottesville, Albemarle, ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - On Thursday evening, the Department of Homeland Security released a list of jurisdictions it claimed were in violation of federal law. The list included hundreds of cities and counties within forty-eight states.
Under the Virginia section, Charlottesville and Albemarle County made the cut.
Even a full day later, much remains unclear about what this means, and after reaching out to well over a dozen people including County Supervisors, City Councilors, Police Chiefs, and the Department of Homeland Security. None agreed to formally interview.
Everything remains murky, down to the definition of sanctuary jurisdiction.
DHS defines the term as those “obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American communities.”
Charlottesville disagrees. In a written statement sent to 29News, Charlottesville city officials deny that a legal definition of sanctuary cities even exists.
A spokesperson with the city said in that statement, “The City of Charlottesville has no policies or practices that prohibit or impede cooperation with federal law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”
Albemarle County’s written statement also denies any wrongdoing or responsibility. It said, “The enforcement of federal immigration law is the responsibility of the federal government, and Albemarle County complies with those laws.”
The DHS blast that came out Thursday night also said localities will at some point get a letter detailing what they have done wrong.
Both Charlottesville and Albemarle County said they have not received that communication.
City Manager Sam Sanders said he hopes DHS will “quickly correct the record.”
Virginia state Delegate Katrina Callsen has a different perspective.
Her district includes both the city and county.
She said making the DHS list is something to be proud of.
“Being nebulously labeled a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ by the Trump Administration is not a failure,” she said, “it’s a reflection of our values.”
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