Richmond, Va. – Since his return to the Oval Office, President Donald Trump has signed 42 executive orders, with a significant focus on immigration enforcement. As the administration pushes forward with aggressive immigration policies, residents and experts alike are closely monitoring the potential impact on local communities.
In Richmond, concerns over heightened immigration actions have left many people anxious about their future. Naureen Hyder, a Richmond-based immigration attorney at Hyder Immigration Law Firm, explained that much of the fear surrounding the new orders can be alleviated through a better understanding of the processes involved.
“People are really scared,” Hyder stated. “But a lot of those fears can be quelled by understanding what is actually happening versus what the rhetoric is.”
Hyder pointed out that while the orders may sound unsettling, their implementation is not an instantaneous process. For these executive orders to take effect, they must first work through the complex logistics of being implemented at the local level, which can take considerable time.
“In order to take effect, they have to infiltrate each locality of each state — which is a lot of logistical process that has to go through,” Hyder explained. “The process has been initiated, but it’s not happening overnight. So it’s very hard to look at people and say, ‘Don’t be scared,’ because those orders are out there.”
Trump’s executive actions, announced shortly after his inauguration on January 20, outline a sweeping approach to immigration, including the reinstatement of the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers. The President pledged that these actions would lead to the “complete restoration of America” and the “revolution of common sense.”
One of the most controversial aspects of his plan includes sending U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to conduct raids in major cities, such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, many of which are designated as sanctuary cities. These cities have policies that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials.
While Virginia is not classified as a sanctuary state, local law enforcement decisions will ultimately determine how they respond to federal immigration directives. Hyder noted that although Richmond’s local leadership has been vocal in opposing federal immigration actions, the situation remains fluid.
“Our governor has been pretty clear that Virginia is not a sanctuary state,” Hyder said. “But the reality is, each locality’s law enforcement will determine their involvement with federal immigration officials.”
In 2017, former Mayor Levar Stoney issued directives to protect immigrants from federal immigration enforcement, a stance that has continued under current Mayor Danny Avula’s administration. Avula has expressed that his office will not participate in the President’s immigration enforcement plans.
However, Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed 2025 state budget includes a measure to ban sanctuary cities in Virginia, a move that could force Richmond and other localities to comply with federal immigration requests or risk losing state funding.
Despite the potential for increased ICE activity, Hyder believes it is unlikely that Richmond will see large-scale raids in the near future. Nevertheless, she offered guidance for those who might find themselves caught in difficult situations if federal immigration enforcement ramps up.
Hyder’s advice is clear: “Keep it simple.” She explained that individuals do not have to open their doors to immigration officers unless they present a valid search warrant. The warrant must list the individual’s name, address, and be signed by a judge in order to be legally valid.
Hyder also provided additional resources for individuals who may be concerned about ICE visits to their homes or workplaces, urging people to stay informed and be prepared for possible encounters with immigration enforcement.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, Richmond residents, particularly immigrant communities, are left navigating a period of uncertainty, with the balance of federal and local immigration enforcement continuing to shift.
