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Immigration arrests in Arlington and Falls Church have heightened anxiety among immigrant families, but Arlington County police say their mission remains unchanged: Officers will not conduct federal immigration enforcement investigations.

President Donald Trump moved quickly to pursue his campaign pledge of mass deportations. During a seven-day period in February, immigration arrests averaged 787 per day, compared with a daily average of 311 during President Biden’s final year in office.

The increased enforcement created uncertainty across Arlington, including among immigrants living in the country legally. Many residents feared that relatives, friends or neighbors could suddenly be detained.

Those concerns intensified March 4, when ICE took 32 people into custody in Arlington and Falls Church, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. At Buckingham Apartments, a person was seen in handcuffs and taken away from a complex on 4th Street North.

ICE activity continued afterward, including an arrest in the Ballston area on the morning of March 18.

Arlington organizations had already begun preparing residents for possible enforcement actions. In late January, Arlington Public Schools and the Arlington County Police Department published information explaining their policies and planned responses. Faith groups and immigrant legal-aid organizations also distributed Know Your Rights cards at apartment buildings and public gathering places.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin added to the uncertainty with Executive Order 47, issued Feb. 27. The order directed state law-enforcement and corrections officials to help identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants with criminal records who pose a public-safety risk in Virginia.

Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn said his department did not participate in the local ICE arrests. He emphasized that its responsibilities have not changed under ACPD Policy 523.04, “Immigration Status and Access to Police Services.”

Penn said ACPD’s job is to protect the community, not enforce federal immigration law, and that the department does not conduct immigration-enforcement investigations.

He also said access to police services does not depend on citizenship or immigration status. Residents may file reports, take part in police-community programs and receive other services regardless of their status.