We fight to end immigration detention in Virginia. We also work to ensure immigrants do not face a second harsher punishment for criminal charges and convictions and to make sure detention is not a death sentence because of conditions within detention center walls or policies that harm detainees.   We use individual representation, impact and class-action litigation, community organizing, and policy advocacy to fight for those locked behind bars by ICE in Virginia. 

We work to ensure that local and state governments stay out of the business of federal immigration enforcement and that discrimination doesn’t lead to immigration enforcement.

The Legal Aid Justice Center works to separate local government from immigration enforcement efforts to better protect the safety of all communities in Virginia. Many local governments, even including many who are otherwise pro-immigrant, go above and beyond to make it easier for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain and deport immigrants. When the local government engages in federal immigration enforcement, trust between the local community and the local government is damaged. We support communities throughout Virginia in pushing local officials to stop engaging in harmful and discriminatory practices and instead focus on serving and protecting all members of their local communities. 

We provide individual representation to young immigrants eligible for immigration relief by virtue of their age. We also work to ensure that unaccompanied immigrant children can be quickly released from federal custody so that they can grow up with their families and communities as they pursue their immigration cases. Finally, we work to ensure that undocumented and under-documented immigrant youth can access benefits to help them achieve their dreams, like working toward in-state tuition and other state benefits and fighting for legal immigration protections. 

Legal Aid Justice Center provides individual immigration consultations and representation to a limited number of immigrants facing removal from the United States. We also provide Know-Your-Rights presentations and information to immigrant communities. For residents of Alexandria City and Arlington County, we provide free immigration consultations with an immigration attorney.