“[The Believers] give the immigrants preference over themselves, even though they may be in need. And whoever is saved from the selfishness of their own souls, it is they who are truly successful.”

— Surah al-Hashr (59:9)

To Governor Abigail Spanberger,

As members and allies of the Virginia Muslim community, we call on you to sign SB 783 (Salim) and HB 1441 (Lopez) into law. These critical bills would limit local law enforcement’s collaboration with federal immigration authorities, ensuring that our state resources are used to protect—not tear apart—Virginia families.

Our Communities are at Risk.

The Muslim community in Virginia is uniquely impacted by immigration policy. According to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, 60% of Muslims in the United States are first-generation immigrants. Virginia has a large Muslim community, with Fairfax County being the fifth largest locality for Muslim residents in the entire country. For us, immigration is not an abstract political issue; it is the lived reality of our parents, our neighbors, and our youth.

Recent events have shown that collaboration with ICE often leads to profiling and the erosion of civil liberties. The first cases of abuse by federal immigration authorities were against Muslims speaking out for human rights abroad. However, agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have expanded their operations to indiscriminately arrest, often without charges, anyone they suspect of being an immigrant.

In Richmond, our community has been shaken by the detention of individuals with legal status. This includes the case of an Afghan teenager taken by ICE while leaving traffic court in Henrico County, and an Afghan man—a dedicated employee of the Virginia Department of Corrections and a father to a young daughter—who was separated from his family despite his service to our Commonwealth.

We Need SB 783 and HB 1441.

When local police act as an extension of ICE, it destroys the trust necessary for public safety. Immigrants become afraid to report crimes, attend court, or seek medical care.

By signing these bills, you will:

• Ensure Due Process: Prevent the detention of Virginians without judicial warrants.
• Protect State Resources: Keep local tax dollars focused on local safety rather than federal immigration enforcement.
• Uphold Virginia Values: Demonstrate that our Commonwealth is a place where all are welcome, where families feel safe, and where hard work breeds success.

Governor Spanberger, we urge you to stand with Virginia’s immigrant families. Sign SB 783 and HB 1441 into law.