Activist group to protest ICE enforcement, ‘unlawful kidnappings’ in Richmond area

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Activists are preparing to rally outside Richmond's City Hall today after a slew of recent detainments by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the metro area in recent weeks.

Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality will be joined by other groups and protestors at Richmond City Hall at noon on Monday, Aug. 11, for a press conference. According to a release issued by the group on Friday, the rally will call on legislators to take action after multiple "unlawful kidnappings" and detainments by immigration officers occurred in the Richmond area.

One such incident occurred in South Richmond, where activists say a 21-year-old man was violently pulled from his car, choked and deported back to his home country. More detainments happened at the Chesterfield County courthouse in July.

The group issued a list of demands in Friday's press release, emphasizing the following four focus points:

• Requesting an end to local collaboration with ICE
• Protecting the community from invasive surveillance technology and alleged brutal policing by ICE officers
• Providing legal support for immigrants and financial support for their families
• Requesting the closure of detention centers and halting further expansions

An expanded list of specific demands was also shared, including calls for a ban on masked and unidentified policing from ICE officers and calls for an end to government contracts with Flock surveillance cameras.

While U.S. Code bars people from entering the country without approval, there are a number of exceptions for those who have jobs, are earning an education or running away from persecution.

ICE officers claim they are going after those who are not forthcoming about their stay in America and those who pose a threat to peace.