by 7News Staff

Wed, March 5th 2025 at 9:31 PM

Updated Wed, March 5th 2025 at 10:31 AM

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore Field Officer director Matt Elliston listens during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — Immigrant advocacy groups and community allies across Arlington, Virginia joined in protest Tuesday afternoon to stand against recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the area.

According to a post on X, Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem joined agents as they carried out arrests earlier Tuesday morning.

FBI Director Kash Patel says 32 more arrests were made also targeting illegal immigrants.

SEE MORE | Maryland counties divided on ICE cooperation as Virginia issues new statewide policy

On the streets of Arlington, protestors chanted “What do we want? ICE out. When do we want it? Now.”

“To this administration, scaring communities and tearing apart families and terrorizing communities is a game,” Amy Fischer, director of refugee and migrant rights at Amnesty International USA, said.

“The Trump agenda and the Youngkin agenda are enforcing racist attacks against our communities,” Danny Cendejas, an organizer with La ColectiVA, said.

SEE MORE | Executive order mandates Virginia’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement

That comment comes days after Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order instructing state police and prison officers to cooperate with federal immigration agents.