Harrisonburg City Council SOURCE: WHSV3Photo: WHSV3
Harrisonburg City Council opened its first meeting of 2026 Tuesday night (January 13) by revisiting a letter sent last month to state and federal leaders addressing concerns about immigration enforcement activity in the city.
The letter, delivered in December to U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Congressman Ben Kline, and Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, urges greater oversight and transparency surrounding ICE operations in Harrisonburg.
Council members said the message reflects widespread anxiety among residents, particularly following a viral video last fall showing an ICE arrest along North Valley Pike. Discussions about drafting the letter began in mid-November as community members voiced fear and uncertainty about enforcement encounters.
Councilor Laura Dent emphasized that public safety must be viewed through the lens of Harrisonburg’s diverse population, noting that trust between residents and authorities is essential for a healthy community.
The letter calls on state and federal officials to organize a statewide forum bringing together local leaders to examine how immigration enforcement tactics affect Virginia communities. Vice Mayor Dany Fleming said Harrisonburg may be among the first local governments in the state to formally push for such a discussion.
In addition to the forum request, council members posed several questions seeking clarity on enforcement practices, including protocols for officer conduct, procedures when parents or guardians are detained, oversight of use-of-force incidents, and how residents can report misconduct. The council also proposed the creation of a multilingual, online reporting system if no such mechanism currently exists.
City leaders said they hope the letter prompts action to ensure immigration enforcement is carried out with dignity and accountability. While no responses have been received yet, Mayor Deanna Reed said the council plans to follow up once all recipients officially take office later this month.
SOURCE: WHSV3