Del. Michael Jones (D-Richmond) Expresses “profound dismay and unequivocal condemnation” of Recent ICE Raids at Chesterfield Courthouse

From VA Del. Michael Jones (D-Richmond)

Statement from Delegate Michael Jones Concerning the ICE Raids at Chesterfield Courthouse

Richmond, VA – I wish to express my profound dismay and unequivocal condemnation of the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations conducted at the Chesterfield County Courthouse. The detention of fourteen individuals over a three-day period represents not merely a procedural matter of law enforcement but a fundamental rupture in the social covenant that binds our democratic institutions to the communities they purport to serve.

The courthouse stands as hallowed ground within our constitutional republic—a sanctuary where justice is sought, where due process manifests, where the rights of the individual are to be zealously protected against the awesome power of the state. When ICE agents transform this space into a site of apprehension, they desecrate the very temple of justice their oath of office obligates them to uphold. These enforcement actions, conducted with minimal notice to local officials, demonstrate a troubling disregard for the integrity of our judicial system.

What transpires in courthouses reverberates far beyond those marble halls. The systematic targeting of individuals at courthouses—regardless of the technical legality of such operations—engenders a climate of fear that permeates entire communities. When immigrants fear that appearance at court whether as defendants, witnesses, or family members—may result in detention and possible deportation, the machinery of justice itself becomes compromised. Witnesses refuse to testify, victims decline to report crimes, and those seeking the protection of the law retreat into shadows.

The human rights implications of such operations are profound. Research consistently demonstrates that ICE raids expose immigrant families to severe psychological trauma, separate parents from children, and violate basic dignity. These enforcement tactics do not occur in a historical vacuum but within the context of America’s complex and often painful struggle with questions of belonging, citizenship, and human worth.

I therefore urge immediate cessation of courthouse enforcement operations and implementation of the following measures:

• Designation of courthouses as “sensitive locations” where immigration enforcement is prohibited absent extraordinary circumstances
• Development of clear guidelines regarding notification and coordination with local authorities
• Implementation of oversight mechanisms to ensure enforcement actions respect constitutional protections

The moral arc of American history bends toward a more expansive, humane understanding of justice. Our treatment of the most vulnerable among us—including immigrant communities —stands as the ultimate measure of our fidelity to founding ideals. I implore your agency to reflect deeply on whether current enforcement methodologies align with the highest aspirations of our republic. Justice without mercy isn’t justice at all—it’s just power masquerading as righteousness.