Deborah Aguilera, Contributing Writer
Richmond City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Sept. 28 directing Mayor Danny Avula’s administration to establish a citywide “Trust Policy” governing how city employees handle residents’ immigration information and cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
The resolution, introduced by 9th District Councilmember Nicole Jones, aims to establish clearer boundaries for the city’s involvement in federal immigration matters while maintaining trust between local government and immigrant communities, according to the legislation.
In May, Richmond announced additional restrictions on federal access to its automated license plate reader data and reiterated that the Richmond Police Department does not enforce federal immigration law or coordinate with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Avula announced last week that the city will not renew the contract with Flock, but may sign anew contract with a different ALPR vendor, according to VPM.
Under the new resolution, the administration is directed to develop formal regulations by Jan. 1, 2027, outlining how city employees may handle and disclose immigration-status information, subject to applicable laws and exceptions.
Mira Signer, the mayor’s press secretary, stated in an email that it is a resolution that should direct the administration to develop a policy intended to protect residents’ safety and personal information. She stated that the measure will establish guidelines for how residents’ information is handled and ensure that their confidential details are not shared with unauthorized parties.
The resolution is intended to strengthen residents’ confidence in local government and encourage individuals to seek the support they need without concerns about the potential consequences, according to Signer
“From the administration’s perspective, this unity reflects a shared goal of improving trust, transparency and safety for all Richmond residents, particularly its immigrant communities,” Signer stated.
The policy is scheduled to launch on Oct. 19, with its introduction representing an initial step toward establishing a consistent approach to protecting residents’ information.
Councilmember Andrew Breton stated in an email that he was grateful the resolution passed despite initial concerns about unwanted attention on the city of Richmond from higher levels of government.
“Councilmember Jones prioritizes citizen engagement, and the outcome of those efforts gives us certainty that this is the right thing for Richmonders,” Breton said.
Elena Camacho is a community organizer for the New Virginia Majority, where she regularly works with immigrant communities. When discussing the policy with these communities, she highlighted the importance of political trust and honesty between the local government and residents.
“This policy is supposedly an arrangement for residents’ safety and information, and it should not be disclosed to others,” Camacho stated.
“A great step has been made, but the work needs to continue,” Camacho stated.