(The Center Square) – Virginia’s attorney general has joined 22 others from across the nation and in the District of Columbia in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reverse a recent ICE policy change.
Attorney General Jay Jones announced Monday that Virginia joined the coalition. In a June 25 letter, the coalition asked Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella to rescind the directive and restore the previous policy.
The attorneys general say the revised directive eliminates provisions for reviewing and publicly reporting certain deaths occurring within 30 days after an individual is released from ICE custody.
A review by The Center Square of ICE Directives 11003.6 and 11003.7 found the earlier policy applied to certain post-release deaths occurring within 30 days of release when a review was requested by the ICE director. Those provisions do not appear in the revised directive, which focuses on deaths in ICE custody.
Homeland Security defended the policy in a June 25 statement, saying it is “common sense” that ICE would no longer monitor or review deaths occurring after an individual leaves its custody. The department said ICE remains committed to transparency through the notification, review and public reporting of deaths that occur while individuals are in ICE custody.
“These systems of accountability exist to protect those who are most vulnerable, and I will not stand by while they get stripped away by those attempting to abuse their power,” Jones said.
“With the disturbing rise in reports of abuse and death in ICE detention facilities in recent months, transparency is more important now than ever. This change in policy is an abhorrent attempt by ICE and DHS to sidestep responsibility for their dangerous actions, and we won’t allow it. The public is demanding transparency and accountability, and as attorney general that is exactly what I will fight for.”
The announcement comes days after a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of another immigration-related measure in Virginia.
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a new Virginia law requiring federal immigration officers to display identifying information and generally prohibiting face coverings while performing official duties. In response, Jones said his office would continue defending the law and remained committed to the “transparent administration of the law.”
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from ICE.