Public Comments for 02/02/2026 Education
HB255 - School Psychologists, Interstate Compact for; membership of the Commonwealth into compact.
Please pass this important bill
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The attached letter is in support of HB 255.
I am writing in strong support of HB255 the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists and the Commonwealth’s membership in this compact. I work in a Title I school and see our students coming to school with increasing academic, behavioral, and mental health needs which for many of them, school is the main place where they receive support. When schools don’t have enough qualified professionals, all students suffer and cannot be effectively supported. School psychologists play a critical role in helping students succeed. In Title I settings especially, the demand for these services is constant, and it often feels like we’re trying to do more with less. School psychologists are also a necessary part of identifying students with disabilities. As referrals continue to increase, delays in evaluation and identification directly affect students’ ability to access services and supports they are legally entitled to receive. These delays have real consequences for students and families, particularly those who already face barriers. Right now, school psychologists are in high demand across districts and are often not staffed in alignment with NASP-recommended ratios of one school psychologist per 500 -700 students. Many of us are responsible for far more students than is reasonable, which limits the level of support we can realistically provide. HB255 is an important step toward addressing these shortages. By increasing workforce mobility and supporting recruitment and retention, this compact would help schools better meet students’ needs. Our students cannot wait for support. I urge support for HB255 for the students I work with every day and the schools that are trying their best to serve them.
Dear Chair Convirs-Fowler: I am a school psychologist in Fairfax, Virginia and would like to express my support for HB255. As a School Psychologist for more than thirty years I have helped children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. In collaboration with families and other school staff, we help create safe and supportive learning environments in which all students can thrive. I have taken an active role supporting students with behavioral and emotional and challenges, which benefits their wellbeing and ability to connect and engage with peers and adults in the classroom. I currently work in Fairfax County Public Schools, and like many other areas in our state, we have a shortage of school psychologists and other educators. Staffing shortages significantly impact our ability to provide preventative and essential supports to students. The Interstate Compact for School Psychologists would significantly benefit our state, and me personally as a school psychologist. Importantly, this Compact promotes efficiency while upholding a high standard of school psychology practice. Importantly, this legislation benefits our military families and enables military connected school psychologists to easily continue in their career following a permanent change of station. I urge you to support this legislation. Thank your for your consideration. Respectfully, Jill Cory McNeil
Dear Chair Convirs-Fowler: I am a school psychologist in Virginia, and I wish to voice my support for HB255, School Psychologists, Interstate Compact for; membership of the Commonwealth into compact. School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. In collaboration with families and other school staff, we help create safe and supportive learning environments in which all students can thrive. I work specifically in alternative school settings, and with military-connected youth, and access to our services benefits the lives of many children across the commonwealth. I currently work in Fairfax County Public Schools, serving in an alternative high school setting. Like many other areas in our state, we have a shortage of school psychologists and other educators. When I was working in a general education setting, I would typically serve about 1,500 students which is three times the recommended ratio of 1:500. When our ratios are that high, we are not able to spend as much time in direct services with students, such as engaging in counseling and risk prevention. The Interstate Compact for School Psychologists would significantly benefit our state, and me personally as a school psychologist. I am a military spouse, and my husband has spent twenty years in the Air Force. Due to his role, we typically move every two to three years. I hold licenses across four states, and with each move, have had to incur barriers and costs to find new employment. Ninety percent of military spouses are underemployed, and while there is a shortage and need for more school psychologists, the logistics of licensure can be difficult to navigate. Importantly, this legislation benefits our military families and enables military connected school psychologists to easily continue in their career following a permanent change of station. I urge you to support this legislation. Thank you for your time and consideration Sincerely, Leigh E. Birge
Dear Chair Convirs-Fowler and Committee members: I am a school psychologist in Virginia and I wish to voice my support for HB255, School Psychologists, Interstate Compact for; membership of the Commonwealth into compact. School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. In collaboration with families and other school staff, we help create safe and supportive learning environments in which all students can thrive. I currently work as a public School Psychologist in rural, southern Virginia school districts. Like many other areas in our state, we have a real shortage of school psychologists and other educators. I currently serve 2,500+ students, which is 5 times the recommended ratio of 1:500. It is an impossible task! The Interstate Compact for School Psychologists would significantly benefit our state, and me personally as a school psychologist. Importantly, this Compact promotes efficiency while upholding a high standard of school psychology practice. Importantly, this legislation benefits our military families and enables military connected school psychologists to easily continue in their career following a permanent change of station. I urge you to support this legislation! Thank you!
HB462 - Health Ed. SOL; Bd. of Ed. to require literacy instruction in grade 9 & 10 in next revision.
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As a physician I am amazed at the ignorance of the health system, even by my colleagues. Everyone needs to know more, starting as early as possible.
I'm a medical school professor and long-time researcher in the area of health literacy. I've also served as a consultant on health literacy to organizations including the Institute of Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, National Cancer Institute, Joint Commission, American Academy of Family Physicians, and other institutions and organizations. Numerous studies have shown that large portions of the US population have limited health literacy - ie, they are unable to obtain, understand, and use health information to make good decisions about their health. The problem affects all segments of the population. Even well-educated individuals often have limited health literacy. And, numerous studies have shown that individuals with limited health literacy have worse health status, poorer health outcomes, and generate higher health care costs than those with adequate health literacy. Integrating health literacy into your education programs and improving the health literacy of your population could really make a difference. I'm aware that you educational problems include things like anaphylaxis, a problem that few people will ever encounter (either in themselves or others) over the course of their lifetime. Yet national statistics show that only about a third of the US population has adequate health literacy. The remaining two thirds could really benefit from education in this area. Barry D Weiss, Professor University of Arizona College of Medicine
As a general pediatrician practicing in Vienna, I strongly support HB 462. This bill adds practical education on health insurance and health care navigation to middle and high school curricula, helping students understand how to access and use care before they enter adulthood. In my daily work, I see how confusing insurance and health systems can be for families. Teaching students early about copays, deductibles, preventive care, and available resources will help them make informed decisions and avoid delays in care. This supports better health outcomes and stronger use of preventive services. HB 462 also promotes health equity. Not all families have the same access to guidance about insurance and medical systems. Including this education in schools ensures that all students graduate with essential knowledge, regardless of background. By integrating health care literacy into existing financial and health education, this bill prepares students for real-world responsibilities. I strongly urge the General Assembly to support HB 462 for the long-term benefit of Virginia’s children and families.
On behalf of the U.S. Health Literacy Association, I strongly support HB 462 and its requirement to incorporate health literacy education across K–12 curricula. Health literacy is a critical determinant of health, safety, and educational equity. National data consistently demonstrate the urgency of this issue. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Assessment of Adult Literacy, nearly 9 in 10 adults lack proficient health literacy, and only 12% of adults have the skills needed to effectively understand and use health information. Low health literacy is associated with higher rates of preventable illness, increased emergency department use, medication errors, poorer chronic disease outcomes, and significantly higher healthcare costs—estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. These challenges do not begin in adulthood. They are the cumulative result of missed opportunities earlier in life. By embedding health literacy education in K–12 settings, HB 462 addresses this issue upstream—before gaps widen and consequences compound. Teaching students how to access, evaluate, and apply health information supports informed decision-making, strengthens communication skills, and prepares young people to navigate increasingly complex healthcare, public health, and digital information environments. Importantly, health literacy education aligns with educational priorities already valued in our schools, including critical thinking, media literacy, and lifelong learning. In an era marked by widespread health misinformation and rapid integration of digital and AI-enabled health tools, these skills are no longer optional; they are essential. HB 462 represents a forward-thinking, evidence-based investment in students, families, and communities. By ensuring that all students graduate with foundational health literacy skills, this legislation supports improved health outcomes, reduced system burden, and a more informed and resilient population. I respectfully urge lawmakers to support HB 462 and affirm the importance of health literacy as a core component of K–12 education.
Health Literacy (Understanding and communication) and Healthcare Literacy (Utilization and Navigation) as well as digital health literacy is an absolute necessity for responsible citizenship and making important personal healthcare decisions. Promotion of and providing /requiring it in schools is an opportunity to reach all Virigina citizens. Where provided via public education, it has been shown to improve Health outcomes, reduce costs and increase patient satisfaction. Yet evidence-based studies show ONLY 12% of US citizens are "functionally health literate" (thus parents are unlikely to be able, if inclined to do so, to teach the important principles. The WHO and CDC have recommended health literacy education for ALL since the early 2000s. Most would agree that the US healthcare system (industry) requires change and improvement; THIS AMENDMENT IS A KEY OPPORTUNITY to take advantage of the promise of health literacy educations proven benefits. Though Virginia weaves some few elements of "health literacy" through its current professionally developed and taught curriculum in K-12, it should be in a more organized, complete, and continually updated manner as change occurs. Virigina has recognized this in the original HB 462 bill in respect to economics and personal finance and should take national leadership by adopting this Health and healthcare literacy amendment. Time constraints and other factors seriously limit healthcare providers to meaningfully accept these responsibilities. Schools are the arenas where we, in principle, can ensure that ALL of our youth have the opportunity to acquire the appropriate and necessary knowledge and skills expected of Virginians. Respectfully submitted: Fredric Garner, M.D., F.A.A.P,
HB653 - Excused student absences; visitation of immediate family members on active duty military, etc.
Please pass this important bill
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HB877 - Public high school students; opportunity to earn transferable meta-major associate degree, etc.
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HB1037 - Instructional materials on climate change & environtl. literacy; model pol. & proced. for selection.
Hello, my name is Ariya Lee and I’m a junior at Chantilly High School. I’m testifying regarding Delegate Carr’s House Bill 1037, which would give local school boards instructional, peer-reviewed materials on climate change and environmental literacy to be distributed to teachers. In the last few years, as a student, I have been involved in climate advocacy, including promoting environmental literacy, which is why I decided to take AP Environmental Science (APES) this year. But until this year in APES, I have never learned about climate change in my science classrooms—not even in courses I have taken where it was in the Standards of Learning. I have visited over ten middle and elementary school classrooms with my friend to give presentations about the current human-caused climate change and global warming because I want students to be informed about the world that we live in. In presenting at these schools, working with my county K-12 Senior Science Curriculum Manager, and speaking to a biology teacher at my school working to incorporate climate change in her lessons, it is evident that though a lack of description in VDOE standards is also an issue, many teachers are unable to talk about climate change in their classrooms due to a lack of resources and lessons. VDOE’s updated science standards for advanced science classes are a good step in the right direction, but teachers of all science classes will need peer-reviewed resources, especially at a time where climate disinformation is prevalent, in order to make environmental literacy accessible throughout the state. In fact, in a 2020 report by the National Center for Science Education and Texas Freedom Education Fund evaluating how the nation’s states’ public schools address climate change with a letter grade, Virginia was one of the six states that received an “F” grade. Passing HB 1037 is a crucial step to fixing that ranking and ensuring Virginia leads in national environmental literacy. From my experience of presenting to students and talking to my peers, students are ready to learn, concerned and interested about the climate crisis. We must match this interest by providing educators the support to bring climate education to their classrooms, empowering the next generation to act, by passing this bill and doing everything in its power to address the climate crisis in classrooms. Thank you.
Attached is my written testimony which will also serve as the main part of my spoken testimony.
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I am writing as a Virginia parent and constituent to respectfully ask that you oppose HB1374. My son is a member of the VMI Class of 2029. This past weekend, he completed his breakout. Seeing him go through that process was one of the most powerful moments of my life as a parent. In a short period of time, I have watched my child transform into a young adult with confidence, discipline, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility to others. He is a swimmer. He trains before dawn. He attends class all day. He upholds the demands of the Rat Line and the Corps. And somehow, he does it with pride. At VMI, he has forged relationships with cadets from backgrounds he never would have encountered otherwise. He has learned how to lead, follow, endure, and serve. We did not fully know what to expect when we sent him to VMI. But the Institute has surpassed every expectation we had. It is important to state clearly that today’s VMI is not the VMI of generations past. Much of the current narrative focuses on historical rhetoric rather than the reality of the modern Institute. VMI does not promote racism. VMI does not promote hate. VMI’s mission is to develop leaders of character, grounded in honor, accountability, and respect for others. Like any institution, VMI cannot control the isolated actions of every individual who may choose to violate its standards. However, the actions of a few individuals do not indicate a damaged or broken culture. They represent individual failures to uphold the Corps’ values. When behavior strays from the mission, it is taken seriously and addressed. That is evidence of a functioning institution, not a failing one. VMI is not perfect. No institution is. But it is exceptional in what it does: it develops leaders through structure, accountability, shared hardship, and purpose. My son is becoming the kind of young man who will make a positive and lasting impact on Virginia and his community when he graduates. Bills that question whether VMI should continue to exist as an independent, state-supported institution send a deeply discouraging message to the cadets who have voluntarily chosen this path of service and sacrifice. They also paint an incomplete and inaccurate picture of what VMI is today and the good it accomplishes every single day. HB1374 does not simply propose oversight. It places a cloud over the future of an institution that is actively producing officers, public servants, engineers, educators, business leaders, and community leaders for the Commonwealth. The damage from that uncertainty is immediate and real: to morale, recruiting, retention, donor support, and the families who have entrusted Virginia with their children’s education. VMI should be strengthened, supported, and held to high standards. Not destabilized or placed on an existential path. Accountability and improvement can occur without dismantling independence. I ask you, as a steward of Virginia’s future, to stand with the cadets, the families, and the many Virginians who believe in the mission of the Virginia Military Institute. Thank you for your time, your service, and your thoughtful consideration.
Oppose teaching our children about climate change unless it is the facts that solar, wind, and electric power batteries are limited. China and India are the biggest polluters compared to other countries. The Scandinavian countries know that green energy does not work because of the low quality, lack of efficient energy production and extreme high cost. It also makes our nation be dependent on China. We know East End and West End of Henrico don’t want the data centers . Why do democrats always push illogical and destructive policies on citizens and never think about the consequences? More and more Virginia taxpayer’s are dissatisfied with our public education system from the left wing. We don’t want be serfs on the government land.
HB1113 - Culturally responsive & language-appropriate mental health support & services; guidance & policies.
Transformative Changes supports HB 1113 because it advances a healing-centered approach to student mental health by recognizing that effective support must be culturally responsive and language-appropriate. Students bring their full identities, experiences, and stressors into the classroom, and when mental health services fail to reflect those realities, harm and disengagement can deepen—especially for Black, Brown, immigrant, and multilingual students. By directing the Department of Education to provide clear guidance and enabling school divisions to adopt inclusive policies, HB 1113 helps schools move beyond one-size-fits-all interventions toward care that builds trust, belonging, and resilience. This bill is a meaningful step toward school environments that promote healing, safety, and long-term wellbeing for all students.
New Virginia Majority supports HB 1113 because it helps ensure that students across the Commonwealth can access mental health supports that are culturally responsive and language-appropriate. Students’ mental health needs do not exist in a vacuum, and when supports fail to reflect students’ cultural backgrounds or language needs, they are less effective and can deepen existing inequities. By directing the Department of Education to provide guidance and enabling school boards to adopt thoughtful, inclusive policies, HB 1113 equips school divisions with tools to better serve diverse student populations, improve student wellbeing, and create learning environments where all students feel understood, supported, and able to thrive.
The Legal Aid Justice Center is a statewide legal aid nonprofit that works with young people and families on education, mental health, and restorative justice issues. LAJC supports HB 1113 because it would ensure that mental health support, a vital resource in schools, is accessible to all students and families regardless of their language and background. Virginia currently ranks 32nd in the nation for access to youth mental health care (according to 2025 Mental Health in America Report) and in the most recent Virginia Survey of School Climate and Conditions (2025), non-white minority students generally reported disproportionately higher rates of mental health concerns. Implementing culturally responsive and language appropriate standards for mental health resources in schools means ensuring that all students, especially those experiencing disproportionate challenges, can access quality mental health in their times of need. We urge the committee to support HB 1113 to ensure that all students in the Commonwealth can receive quality and accessible mental health resources.
Students are more likely to benefit from mental health support when services reflect their cultural backgrounds and are provided in a language they understand. When supports are not culturally responsive or accessible, students and families may go without care or feel disconnected from the school system. Providing guidance and policies that promote culturally responsive and language-appropriate mental health services helps ensure that all students feel seen, understood, and supported. This is especially important for students from diverse communities who may already face barriers to accessing care.
I oppose mental health services from the public school systems. The family must be responsible for their children’s lives instead of government intervention. This doesn’t help encourage parents to be responsible and enables them more than ever.
I support this bill in expanding information and access on mental health resources.
HB1260 - Publ. elementary/secondary schools, etc.; fed. immigration investigation and enforcement activities.
I urge you to vote in favor of these bills, all of which have a common interest -- to protect Virginia residents from unconstitutional action by Federal authorities that are charged with protecting the population. The bills are : HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, 1492. My family knows a naturalized U.S. citizen from El Salvador who came to the United States because he married a U.S. citizen. He was arrested in Pennsylvania and held for three days, because they thought he might be an undocumented alien based on racial/ethnic profiling. He had to hire a lawyer to get out. Virginia law enforcement must not cooperate with Federal security forces that are carrying out such unconstitutional activities. My name is Julie Schechter Torres. I am a member of Temple Rodef Shalom. Our houses of worship must be safe from activities by law enforcement. Our schools must be safe for children. I know a 9-year-old child who is legally present in the United States but didn't want to go to school for days after ICE went to her ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Children are not a threat. If ICE is focusing on criminals - as they say they are - they are in the wrong place. Going there to capture adults is once again using children as "bait". I have lived in countries where criminals stop cars and kidnap people. There is no way to know that law enforcement authorities are who they say they are if they wear masks and don't show identification. There is no reason someone carrying out legal law enforcement activities should need to hide who they are or what they are doing. Masking is just a means of covering up unlawful action. Please pass these bills to protect Virginians.
I am wanting to write in support of HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1265, HB 1438. These bills would work towards truly and wellbeing of helping the community that lives here within the Commonwealth. The behavior and actions of federal officers are dangerous as they are spreading fear and harm that directly work against the trust and wellbeing of many immigrants and other people of color that are present here. Many of those who are directly impacted as they are less likely to feel safe to contact emergency services for life saving care, going to the store for groceries, taking children to school, going to court for things even like protective orders that could help promote their safety- to just name a few. People deserve the ability to live with dignity and safety and these bills would take the necessary steps to helping promote public safety for all.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills protect sensitive spaces such as courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places, and hospitals from intimidation by federal immigration enforcement. They strengthen public trust and improve accountability by restricting law enforcement officers from obscuring their identities. I oppose HB1459, which would force state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would seriously damage public trust in local law enforcement.
I have watched the news and live feeds from Minneapolis, and today I watched testimonies of violations, physical abuse and murder by ICE. It is hard to not see we are in a Constitutional and humanitarian crisis at a scale I never thought could happen here. Please do not bring this to VA. As Virginia is the birthplace of our Constitution, can we make the choice to refuse this standing army, search and seizures? the beatings and destruction of property and disruption of freedom peace and commerce ICE and similar agencies leave in their wake? We are not being protected by them, but living in terror of them. The trust is gone. And, every decent law enforcement officer carries the massive burden of association with these violent, incompetent, sadistic, rogue, racist hypocrites. Ice must be abolished NOW. Humane reform to immigration law, the justice system, detention conditions (including medical care, oversight without notice, access to lawyers without being shipped out, family visits, and provisions for the safety of people who trusted our country as asylum seekers .) As for actual ,violent criminals- we have a system in place and none of this is necessary if we have trust between communities and law enforcement. Ice needs to be scrapped first for something new - for the people, with the consent of the people , to take its place. What are they but roving patrols racial profiling? I am PROUD of our civil rights legacy in our state. We can take a stand and refuse funding and quartering. We should all be able to look to law enforcement as heroes- the people we could call for help. Every act by ICE... The stalking in the streets, the threats to peaceful protestors and Constitutional recorders, and the fear so many goo community members, citizens snd non-citizens live with every day does not even feel like our country. To think we spend this massive amount of money to torment people working hard and doing their best? I'd rather the money go to give a family a shot at the American Dream, instead of paying someone to try to turn guns on them for pay. Our immigrants- They are our heart. They love this country and its promise. They are strong and brave and they work hard and have strong families and faith. They are full of love and share art, culture, dance, music, food and traditions, a love for community many of us can learn from. It is a terrible thing to not embrace and love these people who give so much and ask for so little. I cannot understand how these people are treated like an object to kick, hold down, choke, gun down, jail or murder, without so much as looking at paperwork. Please end this now, for the love of God. If you do not abolish ICE, remove funding and contracts and don't allow masks or lack of badges. Help prosecute when THEY are the violent criminals. But really, get them out and keep them out. Let our own trained police officers handle the crime. Thank you.
I am a resident in the city of Richmond and I demand the restriction and removal of ICE agents from our communities. I support the bills put forth that seek to limit the access and activities of immigration and law enforcement agents. Thank you
My name is Lillian Komarow. I am a resident of District 12. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB 1441, HB 1440, HB 1442, HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1262, HB 1265, HB 1438, HB 1482, and HB 1492. I am also writing in opposition to HB 1459. I grew up in the extremely diverse Northern Virginia area and I know that immigrants are a huge part of what makes Virginia the beautiful melting pot that it is. I know that immigrants have a wide array of reasons to come to Virginia, but ultimately my personal experience has shown me that immigrants want to live and work in peace. They contribute to Virginia in many positive ways economically and culturally– not that that should be a requirement to be treated humanely. Even if I did not have this background, I would know that the terror we are seeing ICE indiscriminately inflict on undocumented immigrants and US citizens alike across the country is abhorrent. It is imperative that Virginia citizens are able to freely access community services without fear of harassment from federal agents. Across the country we are seeing ICE and CBP agents deliberately terrorize families simply trying to take their children to school or to the doctor. There have been stories on the news of domestic violence victims being too afraid of ICE terrorization to show up to their court dates. Ultimately the actions of ICE are deterring people from accessing important services, and this creates ripple effects into the community by making us ALL less safe. Please protect Virginia citizens by passing HB 1440, HB 650, HB 1260, through. The Commonwealth has both the right and the duty to ensure free and fair election for its citizens. Elections cannot be free and fair when people are afraid of being detained at polling places solely due to their appearance. ICE agents’ presence at polling places would be nothing short of voter intimidation. Please protect the sanctity of our elections by passing HB 1442 through. The responsibility of local and state law enforcement should be to protect and serve Virginia citizens, not waste our resources and create mistrust by collaborating with increasingly hostile federal immigration operations. In addition to sapping limited state and local resources, collaboration blurs accountability for racial profiling and other abusive tactics federal agents take, and opens Virginia police departments up to lawsuits. Both law enforcement leaders and crime victim advocacy organizations alike have spoken out against Virginia law enforcement participating in immigration enforcement, citing eroded trust between police and victims, and even described instances of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors being unwilling to seek assistance. Please pass HB 1442 to prevent this mistrust and wasting of resources, as well as HB 1262 so that Virginians can trust that they are not falling into a trap when seeking immigration assistance services, HB 1264 so that Virginia citizens know they have an Accountability Commission keeping watch on federal agents conducting military style operations in the Commonwealth, and HB 1482 so that federal agents can further be held accountable by not concealing their identity. For the purpose of protecting Virginians, our resources, and our right to free and fair elections, I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 1441, HB 1440, HB 1442, HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1262, HB 1265, HB 1438, HB 1482, and HB 1492 and oppose HB 1459.
For over a decade, federal policy has limited immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations” like schools and health care facilities. That commonsense safeguard was rescinded in January 2025. Since then, we’ve seen the real‑world harm: there are schools shutting down after Border Patrol tackled students and staff, chronic absenteeism as families fear sending their children to school, a family seeking care for their young daughter detained in a clinic parking lot, and families separated at courthouses while trying to attend their legal proceedings. These incidents show what happens when enforcement reaches places where children and families should feel safe. HB 1260 is a straightforward bill that protects the safety and wellbeing of students, families, and school communities. It doesn’t change immigration law or limit federal authority. It simply ensures that when immigration agents appear on a school campus, schools respond with transparency, notice, and due process—so learning doesn’t stop because fear takes over. We know that surprise enforcement near schools ripples far beyond one family. Students stop attending. Parents pull back from teachers. Staff don’t know how to respond. Working directly with immigrant children every day, my colleagues and I have seen firsthand the negative effects of children feeling unsafe while attending school. Many have expressed not wanting to attend school, struggling to focus, and feeling scared in a place they should feel safe in. HB 1260 addresses this clearly and responsibly. HB 1440 extends these same commonsense protections to all “protected areas”—hospitals, preschools, public colleges, and offices of Commonwealth’s Attorneys. It prevents staff from granting access to nonpublic areas for immigration enforcement. This ensures that Virginians living their everyday lives can access essential services without hesitation or fear. And finally, HB 650 brings this same principle to courthouses by prohibiting certain civil arrests in these settings, so Virginians can safely appear in court, participate in proceedings, and support loved ones without fear. Now more than ever before, we must ensure due process is uninterrupted and protected for all living in Virginia. Together, these bills uphold constitutional norms, reduce confusion, and keep children and families safe in the places they must be able to trust. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Committee to advance HB 1260, HB 1440, and HB 650. Thank you
Dear Virginia House of Delegates, I am writing in support of all bills in this Block 1 subcommittee (HB650; HB1260; HB1262; HB1264; HB1265; HB1438; HB1440; HB1441; HB1442; HB1453; HB1459; HB1482; and HB1492). Each bill has the same underlying principles, in my view, that undergird each one and is worthy of widespread support and consideration. 1) Greater accountability for any abuses of power - something our government is supposedly predicated upon from its foundations of checks and balances. 2) Respect of human dignity - lest we forget another person's humanity and spiral into forms of depravity experienced on widespread scale even within our lifetimes, our parents' lifetimes, or our grandparents' lifetimes, anytime dehumanization becomes the norm and public opinion becomes apathetic we ought to have sirens blaring warning signals. As a conflict prevention and response professional, I have thorough knowledge of human rights abuses at widespread scale at the hands of unchecked power -- the enslavement of Africans and brutality of the chattel slave trade and its legacy of abuses through the Jim Crow Era onward, the forced disappearances of Argentina and Chile, the Holocaust, forced kidnappings and assimilations of First Nations and Native American children at Indian Boarding Schools in Canada and the United States, and more. These bills hold that some places ought to be preserved to honor the humanity in our neighbors, even those who may be undocumented - polling places, courthouses, schools. These bills provide guardrails that Virginia needs to both maintain the humanity of all people, even those who are undocumented. It serves to safeguard the hearts and minds of those citizens and legal residents who have been continuously profiled based on their perceived or actual national origin, and provides more psychological safety for those in our communities who are being targeted from the national stage to local actors dispatched from ICE who have done nothing unlawful. These forcible, unchecked, and brute forces of strength have brought about unnecessary and widespread fear, school absences, medical inattention for fear of being targeted in public, and traumatic experiences for young children and youth. Virginia House of Delegates must provide a healthy check and balance and honor its constituents. Vote in support of these bills. Sincerely, Jena Kitchen
We support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB4141, HB1442 AND HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces such as courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This legislation is intended to strengthen the public trust in our civic places and to improve accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure the identity of members of law enforcement. We are particularly mindful of comments suggesting that ICE members might surround polling places in our November 2026 elections. The presence of masked individuals in any of Virginia’s polling places would interfere with the electoral process at all levels and discourage people from freely exercising their right to vote. The intimidation of voters has no place in this Commonwealth. The Silver Team for Democracy is a group of senior citizens registered to vote in Virginia.
I support this bill and am in favor of the increased safety it will provide for our communities and for my neighbors. I support banning face coverings for federal officers, restricting immigration enforcement officers to 40 feet from polling places, and prohibiting immigration enforcement from schools, hospitals and other above mentioned safe spaces. Limits need to be placed on rogue federal agents, due process upheld and American communities protected.
I am a resident of Alexandria, VA House District 5. I am writing in support of bills in support of HB650, HB1260, HB 1262, HB 1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. These bills are a critical way that we Virginian's can ensure the safety of our communities from Federal overreach. HB650, HB1440, and HB1442 would protect areas that were traditionally not targeted for immigration enforcement. These places, schools, hospitals, courts, places of worship, are critical in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our community. Right now, families regardless of their immigration status are afraid to leave their houses in order to attend church, go to school, get medical care, or attend important court hearings because they are rightfully worried they will be unjustly detained by ICE due to the color of their skin, the language they speak, or their accent. These bills would help restore access to these Virginians. HB1442 is especially important, as it stops enforcement of immigration laws within 40 feet of polling locations. Given statements by the administration on using ICE around polling places, this bill is critical to ensuring the integrity of our elections. HB1438, HB1441, and HB1482 are critical in building public trust with state and local law enforcement. Currently, federal immigration agents do not identify themselves and wear masks. This causes not only fear in the community and obstruct accountability for these agents, but it makes communities distrust any person wearing camo or who looks like law enforcement as it is difficult to tell who is a federal agent and who is our local law enforcement. These bills also work to prohibit local/state law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law without a judicial warrant. This takes the burden off of local law enforcement in determining what type of warrant they must honor and how they should interact with federal immigration authorities. Finally, HB1260 ensures that schools across the Commonwealth understand and have a plan to interact with immigration enforcement. This bill instructs schools to limit immigration authorities from entering nonpublic areas without a judicial warrant, again restoring to children their ability to attend school without fear. This bill also removes the responsibility and burden from local school boards in determining when and how they should respond to federal immigration authorities, and protects them from being targeted by the administration. In totality, these bills protect Virginians and work to return to them their rights to due process and their sense of safety and dignity that have been taken by the administration.
Any even mildly engaged Virginian ought be alarmed at the slow civil war being carried out on the people of Minneapolis. That is why I fully support HB1264 and HB1482 as critical societal checks on the administration's unfettered military force. Additionally, I support HB650/HB1260 (aren't these the same bill?), HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, and HB1441 for creating safe places and walling off our own government and enforcement agencies from this radical influence. Lastly, steps taken in HB1442 could become extremely important to protecting our democracy as the administration would spiritually invert the Second and Third Enforcement Acts, using the same federal authority that stopped the KKK from harassing black voters in 1870 to instead perform the same kind of intimidation on brown voters in 2026. I oppose HB1459's mandate of cooperation with ICE to snatch untried people out of custody, circumvent the consequences of convicted people by our own justice system, or enact additional punitive measures post incarceration. There is additional alarming language that might imply "going after the families". If state and local PD have a case where they want to cooperate, they already can do so. This bill removes that choice and puts it into a provably untrustworthy institution. I generally support HB1262 and HB1492 for cracking down on bad actors that would take advantage of these troubling times. However, I question the necessity of HB1492: while the long imagined scenario is extremely troubling, we have already seen what evils actual ICE officers are capable of, and how low the bar for entry is. Would this actually help? I mislike HB1453, which goes against our rights as American citizens and good Samaritans to non-violently oppose the actions of federal terrorists.
It would be wrong for the Commonwealth to provide additional assistance to federal immigration enforcement while those federal officers obscure their identities, flout the nation's laws and harass and detain citizens. Do not permit these same federal officers into our schools, hospitals or state offices without authorization.
My name is Yonah Walter. I am a resident of District 10. I am writing in support of bills which enhance public trust in our law enforcement and respect civil rights in our communities. I am a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Jews United for Justice, but I speak as the great-grandson of immigrants who came as chain migrants with the help of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and as someone inculcated with strong Jewish values including a bedrock principle of respect for all. The American promise of "liberty and justice for all" was a strong call for my family, but to now hear our government speak so coldly about immigrants - let alone to see how our government has mistreated those they even suspect of being immigrants - has disappointed me greatly. The shooting deaths by ICE of nearly a dozen Americans in just the last few months, and the immoral and self-serving rush by the government to blame the victims in those shootings, demands we act to curb these abuses and keep our government in check. We need accountability from government agents, which includes the right to know who purports to represent us and act on our behalf in law enforcement. We need to protect access to public spaces like courthouses and (perhaps especially) polling places. We need to vigorously protect the right of people to move freely without fear of harassment or assault by law enforcement. We need to restore trust in our government. I respectfully urge this committee to support the following: HB650 HB1260 HB1262 HB1264 HB1265 HB1438 HB1440 HB1441 HB1442 HB1482 HB1492
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills protect sensitive spaces such as courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places, and hospitals from intimidation by federal immigration enforcement. They strengthen public trust and improve accountability by restricting law enforcement officers from obscuring their identities. I oppose HB1459, which would force state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would seriously damage public trust in local law enforcement.
My name is Paula Roney. I am a resident of District 3. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB650, HB1260, HB 1262, HB 1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This would strengthen public trust and improve accountability. As a long time Virginia public school educator, a grandchild of immigrants who came to this country to escape persecution, and a member of Jews United for Justice, I know the importance of welcoming immigrants to our country. I’ve worked with many students who came to the United States, often on their own, to escape harrowing circumstances. It is vital that they, and all other people are able to attend school, receive medical treatment and be able to access the legal system without fear. Therefore it is critical that our Commonwealth protects access to these vital community services. I respectfully urge this committee to support these bills. Thank you.
I am writing in support of HB1260. As someone who works in a school myself, this issue is very near and dear to my heart. In my own school, I have seen the panic caused by the recent, unprecedented attacks by ICE and DHS. Our students and their families are terrified of what could happen to them. School faculty and staff, myself included, are terrified that they will be powerless to help. This bill would provide real, tangible support to school personnel, to give them something they can do to help. It would provide significant reassurance to school teachers and staff that they have some real way to protect their students, and their students' families. Our children truly are the future, and it is vital that we care for and protect them. Schools must be a place where they can learn and thrive, not a place they fear going to, for risk of immigration raids. I strongly support HB 1260, and I ask that the House of Delegates do so as well.
My name is Susan Kohn. I am a resident of District 15. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB 650,1260, 1262,1264,1265,1438,1440,1441,1453,1492 and in opposition of HB 1459 and 1482. As a pediatrician I am horrified to see my immigrant patients and their families living in fear. I work with children through a non-profit organization that helps to provide access to medical and dental care in Fairfax County. We see hardworking families who are afraid to access health care or even to send their children to school. They worry when someone leaves the house. Will they come back from work, the grocery store, court or school- or be taken by ICE? How can they continue to provide for their children? The children and teens I see were brought to the United States for a better life. Many experienced violence, political upheaval and uncertainty or severe poverty in their countries of origin, which led their parents to seek a place of safety, where they could thrive. My grandparents came to this country in the face of pogroms that terrorized our families in Eastern Europe. They worked hard, as our current immigrants do, to make a future for their children. Our Jewish sacred texts obligate us to care for the stranger and treat all with respect and kindness. They are part of the fabric of a great society. Our neighbors must be able to testify in court if they have been victimized or if they have requested asylum, without the fear of being deported when they show up. All Virginians, whether they are citizens or not, must have the right to access schools, hospitals, places of worship and polling places without fear of intimidation or deportation. All must be able to clearly see the identity of law enforcement personnel and have their day in court with proper representation if accused. Local police should be doing the work of maintaining safety for all residents- not helping ICE deport people without due process. As a Virginian I believe we have a duty to protect those who are most vulnerable in our community. At this time it is our immigrant neighbors who need our help. I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265,1438, 1440, 1441,1442, 1453,1492 and oppose HB1459 and HB1482.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I submit this comment in support of House Bill 1260. Since the federal government rescinded the sensitive locations policy in 2025, LAJC has been traveling across the Commonwealth holding Know Your Rights presentations for families and children—some as young as five years old—because they are afraid of what might happen if immigration enforcement comes into their schools. When kindergarteners are asking what to do if “ICE comes to my classroom,” something is deeply wrong. HB 1260 works to address this problem, by mandating that schools provide notice to families when immigration authorities are present on campus and requiring that school prohibit immigration enforcement on campus without a valid warrant. It provides complementary protections to other similar legislation being considered this year, specifically the Virginia Education Access & Privacy Act (House Bill 836). We urge you to support this bill.
My comment refers to all bills on the agenda. The Commonwealth of Virginia must take any and all legal action to prevent ICE from terrorizing any Virginia individual or community. This includes all people who come to this country seeking a better life for themselves and their families, just as the many millions before them have done throughout America’s history.
I am a resident of Virginia House of Delegates District One (Del. Hope). I am submitting this testimony in support of House Bills proposing to de-link Virginia Schools, courthouses, protected areas and polling places from being places of enforcement of federal immigration laws by federal agents. Specifically, HB#1260 (no immigration enforcement in schools), HB-1265 (courthouses), HB-1438 (287g agreements prohibited), HB-1440 (protected areas-hospitals, schools, etc), HB-1441 (law enforcement cooperation only with a valid judicial warrant) and HB-1442 (polling places) My family includes two members born overseas, one came as a political refugee. We are longtime members of Temple Rodef Shalom and we work or volunteer in the service of the immigrant community and basic human rights, including in the legal profession. These bills will protect privacy and basic human rights of immigrants, creating safe spaces so they may continue to dwell in peace in our communities. Public safety is improved if immigrants are not loath to report crimes or to show up for their own legal or immigration required appointments without fear of immediate detention without due legal process, or have their children attend school and continue to advance peacefully in our commonwealth. We have seen in Latin America, Africa and other regions the devastation which governments can cause against their citizens, where the USA has been a beacon of hope. And we have seen the benefit when we welcome immigrants to participate fully in business and communities in our country and state: economic benefits which under the current environment are depressed, as many residents miss work and school and doctor appointments due to widespread dragnet approach to immigration by the federal government. I respectfully urge this committee to support the HBs listed above. Thank you.
We want public safety, not public abductions and executions. We have learned that ICE does not respect rule of law or human rights, so support these bills to keep Virginians safe. Every child deserves an education. Every child deserves to be safe at school. Every sick or injured person deserves medical care. So keep ICE out of our school, hospitals, and courthouses. No judicial warrant should mean no entry- and limit what civil arrests can take place in courthouses. We want police to protect, not persecute. So eliminate 287g agreements in Virginia. Allow our local law enforcement to do their job of keeping communities safe, instead of doing ICE's dirty work for them. We want rule of law, not rule by masked mobs. Do not allow law enforcement to cover their faces. That's not community policing- that's KKK tactics. We want free and fair elections, not a return to Jim Crow era intimidation at the polls. Citizens are not safe from ICE, either. Do not allow the federal government to use "immigration enforcement" as a rouse to silence eligible voters through fear and profiling. Support: HB650 - Callsen HB1260 - Shin HB1262 - Glass HB1264 - Shin HB1265 - Glass HB1438 - Guzman HB1440 - Lopez HB1441 - Lopez HB1442 - Lopez HB1453 - Williams HB1459 - Zehr HB1482 - Schmidt HB1492 - Shin
Like many Americans, I have become increasingly alarmed by the immigration enforcement tactics being employed by ICE. While I agree that individuals who are here illegally can and should, in some cases, be deported - ICE is terrorizing immigrant communities in a way that is completely unacceptable and, frankly, un-American. I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482, which would help protect our immigrant communities from terrorization by ICE agents. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. Thank you, Zachary West Constituent from Alexandria
It is essential that we take steps to protect Virginia’s communities and especially in sensitive spaces - our kids, the sick, faith communities. We must protect courtrooms and the rule of law and polling places to allow for free and fair elections. ICE is a threat to our democracy and our safety and that of our neighbors. Please do all that you can to preserve the needed checks and balances and protect our democracy!
I’m very concerned with the overreaching of ICE. They have terrorized communities, broken apart families, disrupted children’s education, wrongfully detained people and even murdered American citizens. Please keep all safeguards in place to protect our citizens. Warrants should be in place before they come after people. ICE agents should follow the same laws and training that police officers are required to. ICE should not be allowed to wait outside or enter courthouses. They should not be wearing masks. This is leading to more dangerous escalations as we have seen in Minneapolis. Please vote to protect the rights of our people, maintain a safe community, and honor the laws and Constitution of our once great country. Please listen to your constituents. We are a country of immigrants and we are all humans. Do what is right.
As a long time resident of Virginia, I have watched the horrific attack on our immigrant population by our federal government. I write to encourage support of these bills to provide additional state protections to our local immigrant communities. It is the moral thing to do. Thank you. Stephanie Elms Alexandria VA
Please support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. Please oppose HB1459. I have taught English to immigrants (both adults and children) here in Roanoke for 15 years. They come from all over the world, speak all different languages, and practice all different religions. They are some of the most grateful, respectful, hard working, generous people I've met. They are a gift and a blessing to my community. All of them want to become legal citizens and contribute to our society. The undocumented ones are here out of desperation and our immigration system makes it impossible for them to be here legally while being safe from the danger of their home countries. I fear for their safety since ICE is unconstitutionally invading people's homes, detaining people without warrants, detaining people who have no criminal record, and have detained legal immigrants and even U.S. citizens. ICE is operating carelessly and irresponsibly. Please protect my immigrant neighbors, students, and friends. Thank you.
I strongly support every bill that limits federal immigration enforcement overreach. Virginia Majority stands in solidarity with immigrant communities across Virginia. We believe that all people, regardless of race, class, or immigration status, deserve to live with dignity, safety, and access to fundamental rights. I support policies that limit federal immigration enforcement overreach, protect access to courts and essential services, and prevent local resources from being used to separate families and criminalize our neighbors. Virginia must lead in protecting immigrant rights by establishing clear boundaries on immigration enforcement activities in our communities, ensuring safe access to schools, healthcare, courthouses, and other essential spaces, and maintaining the trust between local officials and the communities they serve. These policies have my support and are measures that would affirm Virginia’s commitment to being a place where all residents can participate fully in civic life without fear.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
SUPPORT: HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, HB1492. OPPOSE: HB1459 Our communities deserve protection from the overreach of the federal government. At a minimum, this means putting strong boundaries on the activity of federal immigration officers and requiring them to follow existing laws and those that are enacted by this general assembly. We need to protect sensitive spaces like schools, courtrooms, places of worship, hospitals and polling places from ICE/CBP intimidation. All officers - including local law enforcement - should be prohibited from wearing masks or face coverings and ID should be required. In addition, local law enforcement should be prohibited from entering agreements with federal immigration officers and judicial warrants for enforcement should be required. Currently our communities are less safe. We need to stop the unchecked abusive activity by ICE/CBP.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I am a pro bono immigration attorney and court watcher, and forme rly a DOJ employee and I know first hand about the overreach of ICE in its detaining people who rather than being the worst of the worst, are actually the best of the best that America has to offer. I represent youngsters who have achieved Special Immigrant Juvenile status and they are still being dragged off the streets. Immigrants are the fabric of our society. We all either are immigrants or trace our roots to immigrants unless we are Native Americans, For those who are illegal because the US makes it is next to impossible to come here illegally from countries inhabited by people of color, they benefit our country, and now we are openly banning those people and giving preference to whites falsely labeled as victims of racism. The system is inverted. We should be thankful for all immigrants. . Instead, the Trump regime treats them - nif they are people of color - like they aren't even human. It's despicable, and it needs to be stopped. Practices that used to be unheard of - going into churches and schools and courthouses and private homes, warrantless, to drag immigrants away from their families and into detention - are commonplace. And inhumane. And much is unconstitutional. We cannot become the next Minneapolis. God bless their response to the invading terrorists. We'll do the same if we have to. But you can prevent it or at least mitigrate the damage. The steps you can take are to use your legislative authority to create protections for the immigrants in our state. You can and must support protection that at least attempts to reign in ICE, among other legislative goals: HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would, among other policies, protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. And they would prevent local law enforcement to work with federal immigrant officers in their terrorizing of immigrants. As we devolve into authoritarism, I am begging you to slow down the march, doing what you can do to protect Virginians. Hopefully, state legislators all over the country, not just blue states, will do the same and protect americans - citizens and non-citizens - from the gross abuses of the law and the lack of humanity of this regime. I know I will continue to fight the regime but Virginians need the help of their legislators in this monumental task. Thank you.
I am in support for HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers; restricts face coverings and requires identification of law enforcement; and prohibits state/local law enforcement from entering agreements with federal immigration officers; requires judicial warrants for enforcement of immigration; I oppose HB1459, misleadingly titled "The Ice-free Communities Act". Requires that when VA law enforcement is holding someone in custody and receives an immigration detainer, they must notify ICE/CBP of the date and time of the detainee's expected release.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
Please further protect ALL of our kids in pubic schools. This bill is comprehensive and will allow school personnel and school boards the support they need to keep kids safer in these times when federal immigration agents are separating children from their families and using schools as "bait." I support HB 1260
Please further protect ALL of our kids in pubic schools. This bill is comprehensive and will allow school personnel and school boards the support they need to keep kids safer in these times when federal immigration agents are separating children from their families and using schools as "bait." I support HB 1260
I am Kade Keller from Richmond, VA. I write in support of House Bills 1260, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492. These policies affirm Virginia’s commitment to being a place where all residents can participate fully in civic life without fear. Virginia must lead in protecting immigrant rights by establishing clear boundaries for immigration enforcement in our communities, ensuring safe access to schools, healthcare, courthouses, and other essential spaces, and maintaining trust between local officials and the communities they serve. All people, regardless of race, class, or immigration status, deserve to live with dignity, safety, and access to fundamental rights.
This is an opportunity for the Commonwealth to respect and protect the riaghts of ALL Virginia citizens. I strongly I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. Mary Bennett Alexandria Resident I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement. Mary Bennett Alexandria Resident
My name is Rachel Waldstein. I am a resident of District #1. I am submitting this testimony in support of the following bills: • HB 650 Callsen Courthouses • HB 1260 Shin Public elementary/secondary schools, etc; federal immigration investigation and enforcement activities • HB 1262 Glass Va Consumer Protection Act • HB 1264 Shin Virginia Accountability Commission • HB 1265 Glass Courthouses • HB 1438 Guzman 287g • HB 1440 Lopez Protected Areas • HB 1441 Lopez 287g • HB 1442 Lopez Polling Place Protections • HB 1482 Schmidt facemasks • HB 1492 Shin Impersonating federal law enforcement officer I oppose the following bills: • HB 1453 Williams Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning; penalty • HB 1459 Zehr Ice-Free Communities Act; notification to federal immigration authorities of pending release of certain prisoners from custody I am a member of Congregation Etz Hayim in Arlington and spent a large part of my career representing the U.S. government in the protection of human rights around the world. I support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 based on my Jewish values and my life’s work. Jewish tradition and law recognize the equality and dignity of all people and respect their right to life, bodily integrity, health, housing, education, and due process. The Jewish people have been refugees many times in the past and have often experienced mistreatment by authoritarian governments. It is thus my duty to stand in support of marginalized communities and against government abuses. Law enforcement authorities should not deprive anyone--even those in this country illegally--of life, liberty, or property without following established legal procedures that respect their rights. Since the Federal government has abdicated its responsibilities before the law and Constitution, it is up to the States to uphold national and international human rights law. Passing the above listed bills will make our communities to be safer and will give Commonwealth officials a legal basis to push back on Federal law enforcement officials who break the law. I strongly believe HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 will improve the lives of all Virginians by allowing us to return our focus to strengthening our economy, education and healthcare systems, and by returning a sense of humanity to our Commonwealth. I oppose HB 1453 and 1459, which I believe will create more fear in our communities and impede Virginians’ ability to express their First Amendment rights. I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 and to oppose HB 1453 and 1459.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places, and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I strongly support the following bills and urge the committee members to pass them on so they can make their way to the House in order to be discussed by all the Delegates: HB1492, HB1482, HB1453, HB1442, HB1441, HB1440, HB1438, HB1265, HB1264, HB1262, HB1260, and HB650. These bills provide much needed limits on ICE agents, and life-saving protections for tens of thousands of people in our commonwealth. Please do the right thing and keep these bills alive and moving through our legislative system.
Support HB 650 1260 1262 1264 1265 1438 1440 1441 1442 1482
I write in support of House Bills 1260, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492. These policies affirm Virginia’s commitment to being a place where all residents can participate fully in civic life without fear. Virginia must lead in protecting immigrant rights by establishing clear boundaries for immigration enforcement in our communities, ensuring safe access to schools, healthcare, courthouses, and other essential spaces, and maintaining trust between local officials and the communities they serve. We must stand united to protect our immigrant communities from the threats coming from our federal government, as we do with the many other threats and challenges we face from the Trump Administration. All people, regardless of race, class, or immigration status, deserve to live with dignity, safety, and access to fundamental rights.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
Regarding proposed bills HB650, HB1260, HB 1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482: As an alarmed citizen I urge the Safety committee to advance the urgently needed provisions in these bills to help rein in the increasingly extreme and unlawful activities of CBP and ICE.
My name is Margaret Power. I have been a voting resident of District 6 for 37 years. I am submitting this testimony in support of most of the bills pending for your action today. I am the great-granddaughter of immigrants escaping poverty, famine, and persecution in their native land and striving to afford the ‘chain migration’ that re-united them with their families. I am the great-niece of German Jews who were denied entry and were murdered in Hitler’s camps. I am the daughter-in-law of an American Jewish woman, who, as a 13-year-old, escaped Poland and crossed a remote stretch of our northern border without documents during the Hitler years when America turned away refugees. I am the grandmother of two talented, bi-lingual and totally adorable Americans who are nearly as brown as their naturalized father, a Colombian-born doctor. I fear their own government will harm them. Or kill them. Truly- I cannot believe that a time has come in which it is not insane for me to have such fears. I belong to Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls church, where, in collaboration with other faith communities, we have long organized sustained support and services for new refugees, predominantly Afghan friends of the US. As Chairman Simon knows, our community actively advocates for inclusive and just public policy here in Richmond and in the nation’s capital. I respectfully urge you to send these bills forward and to advocate for their passage; collectively, they protect Virginians from violent abuses of federal power, they ensure that some of our essential public services- schools, hospitals and the courts- can be accessed by all; they preserve the sovereignty of the Commonwealth with respect to our law enforcement roles, while assuring federal-state-local collaboration with respect to removing criminals from our midst. As a package, they reinforce the rule of law, including protection of our constitutional rights; they reduce the likelihood of violence in our public spaces; they offer our neighbors - and my grandchildren- better protection by requiring federal immigration agents follow the same transparency standards as state and local law enforcement, and they restore some measure of confidence that we citizens are also unlikely to be kidnapped, injured or murdered so long as we are Virginians. I oppose passage of HB 1453, as it limits our right to free expression, and I also oppose HB1459, which is unnecessary because the Governor’s executive order allows federal-state cooperation with respect to convicted criminals, and, if read to add instances in which individuals can be delivered to DHS, would breach the boundaries established by HB 650 which I strongly support. I respectfully urge this subcommittee to support HB#650, HB#1260,HB#1262,HB#1264,HB#1265, HB#1438, B1440,HB1441,HB1442,HB1482, AND HB1492
I support all these bills which, to my reading of them, extend protections of the law to people attending court appointments so that they cannot be detained by immigration enforcement authorities (or people impersonating immigration enforcement authorities). I support requiring law enforcement officials to not wear masks and to have visible identification, and also not to engage in immigration enforcement activities. I also support bills which protect schools, churches, and private workplaces from immigration enforcement activities, and require judicial warrants (warrants signed by a judge) for any immigration enforcement operation. I would like to see bills requiring due process for any persons detained, including but not limited to access to a lawyer, ability to make phone calls, and right to be treated with dignity and humanity.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would extend protection to sensitive civic spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers using easily obtained administrative warrants, strengthen public trust and accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity and require that all federal, state and local law enforcement agents are clearly identified by badge and agency, and restrict state and local law enforcement from entering into agreements that require that they act as immigration enforcement officers. There has been ample video footage and court rulings that show that CBP and ICE have exercised excessive force in many of our nation's cities and towns. We need laws that will help to keep Virginians safe.
Writing as a concerned Virginia resident and parent. I support passage of any bill that limits or prevents ICE from acting lawlessly as they have been around any protected spaces. Our neighbors, children and communities should be able to safely conduct business and learn without fear of ICE grabbing them, possibly causing long term trauma from over aggressive tactics to settle what is a civil matter. I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442 and HB1482. I oppose HB1459 to work with ICE in any capacity due to their cruelty.
I fully support every bill that safeguards and protects our immigrant neighbors from the lawless, cruel, immoral and shameful acts committed by federal agents and DHS.
My name is Cindy Denton-Ade . I am a resident of Burke, District 10 . I am submitting testimony in support of bills HB 650, 1260 ,1262 ,1264, 1265,1438,1440,1441,1442,1448,1482,1492. I am a member of Temple B’nai Shalom. All of my Grandparents were immigrants from other counties: the Ukraine, Belarus. If not for the welcoming policies of the United States when they immigrated, they would have been surely been all killed in the Holocaust. My very lovely handyman, who comes from Columbia and is a citizen, was fearful about driving to D.C. Because he felt he would be targeted by ICE. This is not right! Jewish values promote welcoming and protecting the stranger. These bills will go a long way to do just. Virginia, my chosen home, has taken many positive actions since Governor Spanberger has taken office. Let these bills be an addition to actions we can be proud of in protecting immigrants men, women, and children.
Hello, We support the bills that were checked off above to decrease the power & tyranny of ICE. We don't want law-abiding VA citizens exercising their civil rights to be assaulted, injured, or killed. Also, please OPPOSE HB 1459. Unfortunately, if passed, this will give ICE an edge in harassing and arresting our immigrant neighbors. Third, do any of these bills disallow ICE facilities from either opening or operating in VA? If not, is there a way to introduce this language in one of the proposed bills? Thank you! Ana & David Shannon
As a concerned resident of Alexandria who cares deeply about my neighbors, I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I strongly oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
To Va State Legislators, The Trump regime is terrorizing our communities across the US with brutal Immigration enforcement campaigns designed to test the limits of Executive power and the nation’s willingness to stand up against Trump’s Power grab. Masked federal agents are teargassing babies and pastors, Kidnapping neighbors and shipping them off to what will soon be known as American Concentration Camps. To make matters worse these thugs are Killing innocent people right in front of our own eyes. This is outrageous. This pattern of unchecked violence and abuse by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Border Patrol, and other federal law enforcement agencies must end. And surely these types of operations by such thugs have NO PLACE IN our state of VIRGINIA! As state legislators, YOU can rein in this type of lawlessness and protect Virginians from these types of unconstitutional actions and keep us all safe from these thugs! We support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills above would protect sensitive spaces like cortrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. Simply put, Passage of these bills will strengthen public trust and improve accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. We oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement. Please work together and vote to Pass HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. Keeping our Virginians safe and protected is your number one job! AND OPPOSE HB 1459 to keep us safe and to build public trust in law enforcement! Your constituents, James and Elizabeth Dolan Arlington, Va. 02/04/2026
HB 650 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1260 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1264 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law by attempting to intimidate federal law enforcement officers. OPPOSE. HB 1265 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1438 Creates division between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1440 Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1441 Creates division between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1442 If Illegals aren’t supposed to vote, why would this bill be needed? OPPOSE HB 1482 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement law enforcement by intimidating them. In some instances, their identity needs to be protected to prevent retribution. OPPOSE HB 1492 This is already a violation of federal law and is unnecessary. See 18 USC SS 912 and SS 913. OPPOSE
My name is Karen Menichelli, and I have resided in Arlington, VA, for over 40 years, currently living in House District 1. I have cherished the diverse and welcoming nature of my community and feel enriched by the many immigrants from around the world who have decided to make their lives here. I am worried for my neighbors given the unnecessarily reckless and cruel practices of our federal immigration officers exhibited in cities like Portland, OR, and Minneapolis, WI. I don’t want those behaviors, which sow mistrust and waste resources, brought to Virginia. I want to protect the humanity, dignity, and safety of our immigrant neighbors and allow free access to important community services without fear of harassment or harm from federal agents. Therefore, I strongly support the above indicated cluster of bills under consideration by the Public Safety Subcommittee and urge the subcommittee to champion these bills and send strong versions to the full House for a vote.
Hello, my name is Francesco. I am a student at Charlottesville High school VA. I am one of many English learner high school students and I'm here to ask for your support for EL funding. Our families need help with better translation services and better understanding of school policies. For example they need better explanations of why their son/daughter is absent, tardy, or late in class.
My name is Ricki Henschel. I am a resident of District 3. I am submitting this testimony on behalf of Jews United for Justice in support of all of the following bills: HB 650, HB1260, HB1262, HB1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. JUFJ organizes Jewish Virginians and allies in support of local campaigns for social, racial, and economic justice. Judaism teaches that we are all made in the image of God. The Bible is clear that we are to welcome the stranger, as this is mentioned more times than any other obligation in the Bible. The assault on and kidnapping of individuals by ICE, pulled from their cars, their homes, their places of work, as if they were violent criminals, is directly in opposition of Jewish values, and should not be happening in our state. . The vast majority of those arrested are not individuals who have committed any crime, and many are in the process of obtaining legal status. We also know that citizens are also being taken because they fit the profile. The ICE raids and deportation machine are harming people indiscriminately: Parents, children, and students are being swept up as they attend routine immigration check-ins and court hearings, go to work, and run their errands. In my community, children are scared to go to school, and parents are concerned about taking their children to school, including those who with legal status, as the reality is that ICE is sweeping up individuals based on skin color and accents. Asking for papers and documentation and creating a reality where people feel they have to always have their papers on them everywhere they go, is reminiscent of every society that has been overtaken by autocracy. In addition, as an individual who has experienced sexual violence, it is no surprise that many in our community are afraid to go to our courts or access services. Everyone should be able to live with safety and dignity – including going to court without fear. Enabling law enforcement to be masked adds to the trauma being created. In addition, state and local police need to be seen as those protecting our communities, not as part of the federal work of ICE. And most recently, the threat of having ICE at polling places has been introduced. This must not be allowed in Virginia. Many citizens fit ICE’s profile, and they will be harassed and maybe too frightened to go to the polls. This can not be allowed. I respectfully urge this committee to support each of these bills that control the methods and manner in which ICE operates within our borders–HB 650, HB1260, HB1262, HB1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. We have the right to require them to follow our laws and the US Constitution. We must welcome the stranger.
I am a resident of Virginia state district 39. We have seen our fair share of unidentified, masked men who have harassed and intimidated our citizens. Please move these bills forward. I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
It is clear to me that the actions of ICE and CBP are not simply aimed at carrying out immigration laws; these federal agencies are rapidly being turned into a paramilitary force whose purposes are intimidation and provocation. Virginians will not tolerate exposure of sensitive paces to their tactics, or collaboration with them by state and local law enforcement. Consequently, I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and I oppose HB1459.
I am a resident of Reston, VA. I am a US Army veteran and Federal retiree with almost 30 years of service to the US. My father’s side of my family immigrated to this country from England sometime in the 1630s. My mother’s side of the family immigrated from Scotland in the late 1750s. To the best of my knowledge, they were undocumented. I believe strongly that I have a right to stay in this country. I have met, heard about, read about, and studied people who have been here longer than my family, and some who have come very recently. If we examine the accomplishments and potential of these folks who arrived before or after my family, none are less deserving of a right to be here. As you study our history and our culture, one realizes that the contributions of immigrants are what makes this country so unique and wonderful. It isn’t how big our Army is, it’s the fact that you can find a taco truck, an Ethiopian restaurant, pottery from Poland, and fashion from France on the same block. It’s in the fact that nearly 100 languages are spoken as mother tongues in Fairfax County Schools. It’s in knowing that this country was built on the backs of African slaves and immigrants from every continent in the world, and the cultures of those immigrants have mixed into the most wonderful stew that we are allowed to enjoy every day. Now, let’s get real. Undocumented people can’t vote, aren’t eligible for benefits, and pay taxes into our system. They work very hard for low wages. Immigrants, much less those who are undocumented, commit crimes at SIGNIFICANTLY lower rates than white men. In short, immigrants are a net gain for our society. The images and stories we are seeing regarding ICE and CBP untrained, unprofessional paramilitary wreaking havoc in Minneapolis is like watching footage from another country. I keep asking myself how we got here, while unfortunately, people of color are saying it has been this way all along. Given that we weren’t aware of the total number of people ICE and CBP killed until they murdered two white people, I am concluding they must be correct. In 2025/26, 40 people have died at the hands of ICE. That is 40 too many. I am in favor of any legislation that hinders the ability of ICE to murder more people regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual preference, genetic information, immigration status, or whether or not they are exercising their 1st, 2nd, 4th, or 14th Amendment rights. I am in favor of any legislation that allows immigrants a path to citizenship. While a small minority of people may disagree with me, this is NOT a white nation, and I am against any legislation that tries to turn it into one — even if it is couched in pretty language like “protecting our ‘heritage,’ or ‘our women.’” Please pass any legislation that treats our immigrant population in accordance with human rights, human dignity, civic sense, and common decency. Thank you.
(This plea concerns all House and Senate bills that would provide greater protections for our immigrant population and stop government overreach by DHS and ICE.) Letter of Support for Policies Protecting Immigrants Dear Governor Spanberger, Virginia Delegates, and Virginia Senators, As a citizen who sees all humans as treasured and worthy of respect, I ask you, Governor Spanberger and all Virginia delegates and senators, to support all ICE OUT bills, specifically the following bills to benefit the lives of all citizens and provide specific protections for our immigrant community: HB 660 | HB 836 | HB 911 | HB 1161 | HB 1260 | HB 1265 | HB 1438 | HB 1440 | HB 1441 | HB 1442 | HB 1482 | HB 1492 SB 351 | SB 352 | SB 446 | SB 783 | What each of us has witnessed in California, Washington State, Chicago, North Carolina, and Minneapolis to include traumatization of targeted people and onlookers, great injury, and execution style killings must not become business as usual in Virginia. Please regard the humanity in each person across our Commonwealth and support the passage of these bills. Thank you, Mary Lib Morgan 12401 Dutton Road | Apt 2409 | Midlothian, VA 23113 (804) 928-2057
I am writing in strong support of each of the indicated bills that aim to protect immigrants, and those perceived as immigrants, from the threat and violence perpetuated by ICE. As a Social Worker that works across the Central Virginia region, I have seen my neighbors and clients directly harmed by ICE. Families have been torn apart, resulting in physical, psychological, and financial harm. Furthermore, the threat of ICE has prevented communities I care about from safely accessing healthcare, basic needs, public spaces, and even school. These policies would take an important step to protect the rights and livelihoods of all Virginians, and they would affirm our commonwealth's commitment to ensuring its residents have safe and fair access to participating in civic life.
As a longtime Virginia resident and a person of faith, I am alarmed by ICE's and the DHS's recent gross misconduct, including murdering U.S. citizen. Therefore: I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I support any bill that abolishes ICE. We need to go back to a civilized nation. At the moment we are not one. Killing innocent Americans for demonstrating their first amendment rights. We need to stop rounding up people for the color of their skin. This is not a Wild West rodeo. Our government has violated numerous constitutional laws by not doing lawful procedures. We promised after the concentration camps where Japanese citizens were detained that America would not do that again. Again America has broken its promise to its citizens. They are removing people who are not criminals and people seeking a better life. Some as they appear for court hearings that they needed to do to become citizens. Let’s go back to a civilized country and start respecting both law and order and stop quotas on human beings. You are helping Americans and the world lose any respect left for America and its government. The three murders that gunned down Renee Good and Alex Pretti had YEARS on the CBP or ICE before those killings. It was like watching a firing squad executing people for no reason. Just being around people that were trigger happy and had no training from years ago. I have watched children have guns held up to their faces. CHILDREN. You are taught to never draw your weapon as a fear tactic or a control technique. It’s common knowledge. Let’s make real immigration laws that help people become American. These immigrants pay more into our treasury than Trump did for three years only paying $750 each year. Or Amazon that paid no taxes. The immigrants contribute to our country and economy unlike billionaires and corporations. Actually we have subsidized Elon more than any taxes he has paid. He has caused more harm to America and Americans safety than any immigrant. Stop this funding of this illegal under trained private police that is not protecting Americans but killing them. I question how anyone who supports this can even say they are Christian. From the brutality of humans in detention, lack of medical care, food that I would only put in my compost bin, to breaking up families, the abuse and murder I have seen and the rounding up by skin color. You do know Jesus was a dark skin Palestinian don’t you? So guess he would be rounded up if he was around today. I have never been so ashamed to be an American and I’m 72 years old. But I know it wasn’t me that made the decisions it was you. That gives me some peace. Find your soul, remember again why we were given the statue of liberty or let’s donate it to a country worthy of that beacon of light. We are distinguishing its significance. I hope you also were able to see the monks marching for peace. They are true humans with love and kindness to all. I am grateful to see so many people touched by them and their journey. In solidarity, Cindy Johnston
I am writing in support of the bills checked above. The bills I would protect immigrants from illegal and abusive practices by ICE and Border Patrol. As events in Minnesota have tragically illustrated, all of us, citizen or not, immigrant or not, legal or not, need protection from these federal agents. Enact these bills to protect sensitive spaces, unmask and identify federal agents, require judicial warrants for immigration, and prohibit state and local law enforcement from entering cooperative agreements with federal immigration officers.,
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement
I would like to lend my support to the passage of these bills. However, I would like to go further. Under no circumstances should any member of the government, police force or Sheriff’s Office cooperate with ICE or Border Control. BUT given that ICE will disobey the laws anyway, I want them out of Virginia entirely, and ideally, dismantled completely.
Please vote in favor of protecting our immigrants from ICE harm!
I support these bills. I volunteer with hospice patients and see how the fear of ICE is affecting our much needed and legal caregivers who fear leaving home to go to their clients. One has been disappeared. I hear from my high school grandchildren the concerns at their schools. This is not how we should be living in the USA.
SUPPORT: HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, HB1492. OPPOSE: HB1459 Our communities deserve protection from the overreach of the federal government by putting boundaries on the activity of federal immigration law enforcement officers. We need to protect sensitive spaces like schools, courtrooms, places of worship, hospitals and polling places from ICE/CBP intimidation. All officers should be prohibited from wearing masks or face coverings and ID should be required. In addition, local law enforcement should be prohibited from entering agreements with federal immigration officers and judicial warrants for enforcement should be required. Currently our communities are less safe. We need to stop the unchecked abusive activity by ICE/CBP.
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
I support these 7 bills that protect sensitive spaces from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust in VA. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust. Thank you.
I am deeply concerned about our state and the rest of the country. Immigration enforcement has affected our economy, our well being and our neighbors. Children should not have to live in fear. I am descended from German and Irish immigrants. In their name I submit these comments. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. Accountability is important to restoring trust. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement. Please protect Virginians. Protect our children. Protect our communities. Thank you.
People in Alexandria are terrified- undocumented immigrants, Green Card holders and even US citizens are afraid to be harassed, kidnapped or killed by ICE. As such, I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. While we cannot fully stop these immoral and unconstitutional federal practices, we can stop VA from adopting them in our counties and cities. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in local law enforcement and jeopardize public safety.
I believe it is critical to protect Virginians from excessive and brutal immigration enforcement. To that end, I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement and would not serve the interests of the state of Virginia. Thank you for your consideration. Laura Bloodgood
I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I do not support face coverings or lack of ID for any law enforcement I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.
The Justice and Witness Action Network – Virginia of the United Church of Christ supports HB1260. Targeting immigration enforcement activities to sensitive areas like schools has a chilling effect on our communities. Targeting the most vulnerable among us is neither moral nor just, and our residents should be able to go about the daily business of a civilized society without fear. We urge you to put safeguards in place to protect our schools by voting for HB1260.
I SUPPORT all bills EXCEPT HB1459 I OPPOSE HB1459
I am a resident of state house district 4, state senate district 9, and am a citizen, yet have had multiple people in my life affected by the dramatic changes in immigration action by this administration. I believe it is important that even if we do deport or question immigrants who are not here legally, all of the actions of federal agents and law enforcement must follow or constitutional protections. That is the foundation of who we are as a country before anything else. And this overreach asks affects the vulnerable and our civic institutions when places like schools, hospitals and courthouses are regularly raided with scary, anonymous soldiers. Please vote to limit the overreach and provide commenters reforms. Thank you, Matt Goldstein
VACP and VACLEA respectfully OPPOSE HB 1260 as currently drafted. This legislation is: • Constitutionally preempted under binding Supreme Court precedent • In direct conflict with federal cooperation statutes (8 U.S.C. §§ 1357, 1373) • Violates sworn oaths of Virginia law enforcement officers (Va. Code § 49-1) • Mandates professional ethics violations under universally adopted IACP Code of Ethics • Creates life-threatening operational compromises through mandatory notification requirements • Exposes officers and agencies to federal criminal and civil liability • May violate FCC regulations governing emergency alert systems • Legally invalid and indefensible under established constitutional doctrine HB 1260 places Virginia law enforcement in an impossible legal position, forcing officers to choose between conflicting legal obligations and exposing them to personal liability for implementing state-mandated procedures that violate federal law. HB 1260 is constitutionally preempted under binding Supreme Court precedent. In Arizona v. United States, 567 U.S. 387 (2012), the Court struck down Arizona provisions that attempted to regulate federal immigration enforcement operations, holding that immigration regulation is an exclusively federal power under Congress’s naturalization authority (Art. I, § 8, Cl. 4). HB 1260 undermines federal law by: • Creating procedural obstacles to federal immigration enforcement operations • Alerting targets of federal investigations through mandatory mass notification • Requiring judicial warrants beyond federal statutory requirements • Interfering with federal operational discretion and enforcement priorities 8 U.S.C. § 1373 explicitly prohibits states from restricting communication with federal immigration authorities. 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g)(10) explicitly authorizes state and local law enforcement cooperation. HB 1260 prohibits access to nonpublic areas without “a warrant signed by a judge or magistrate.” This requirement conflicts with federal immigration enforcement authority. HB 1260 requires notification to all school employees and parents (K-12) or all students, faculty, and staff (higher education) whenever federal immigration enforcement presence is “confirmed” on school or campus property. This mandatory, system-wide alert: • Compromises operational security for sensitive federal investigations • Risks tipping off potentially dangerous targets • Increases danger to federal officers, school resource officers, campus police, and bystanders • Facilitates flight, evidence destruction, and witness intimidation • Reveals federal enforcement priorities and tactics to subjects of investigation 47 C.F.R. § 11.45 (Emergency Alert System): Prohibits transmission of EAS codes or Attention Signals “in any circumstance other than in an actual National, State or Local Area emergency or authorized test of the EAS.”
I want the legislators to support the above designated bills and any bill that will cut funding, decrease, limit or completely shut down community and law enforcement support for ICE.
I strongly support all the proposed legislation for protecting my neighbors and community, providing civil causes of action, placing a 9/1/26 termination date on existing local ICE agreements. We should not be using our tax dollars and other resources to assist a law-breaking federal government that is pardoning drug traffickers, killing and detaining legal residents and citizens, and promising protection for its agents who violate our Constitutional rights. Thank you.
I write in support of House Bills 1260, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, and 1482. In combination, these bills form a framework to protect civil liberties, reinforce the integrity of public institutions, and clearly define the appropriate scope of law enforcement authority in Virginia. These bills ensure that schools, courthouses, polling places, and other civic spaces remain accessible and safe; that individuals can participate in education, the justice system, and elections without fear or intimidation; and that enforcement actions are transparent, accountable, and grounded in judicial authorization. Collectively, they strengthen public trust by drawing clear boundaries between state and federal roles, prioritizing due process, and strengthening public safety by upholding constitutional rights.
The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights supports this bill.
I am Chelsea Dunn Torrey, the Legal Director of the Youth Justice Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center, and I submit this comment in support of House Bill 1260. Since the federal government rescinded the sensitive locations policy in 2025, our team has been traveling across the Commonwealth holding Know Your Rights presentations for families and children—some as young as five years old—because they are afraid of what might happen if immigration enforcement comes into their schools. When kindergarteners are asking what to do if “ICE comes to my classroom,” something is deeply wrong. SB 1260 works to address this problem, by mandating that schools provide notice to families when immigration authorities are present on campus and requiring that school prohibit immigration enforcement on campus without a valid warrant. It provides complementary protections to other similar legislation being considered this year, specifically the Virginia Education Access & Privacy Act (House Bill 836). We urge you to support this bill.
I hope you read this article regarding education for social studies. Thanks https://www.baconsrebellion.com/excluding-social-studies-from-accountability-to-preserve-inquiry-is-mistaken/
As parents and grandparents, we should be able to send our children to school with confidence and assurance that they are in a protected environment conducive to learning and developing life skills. The possibility of school facilities being invaded by agents investigating for immigration violations and using children as a way to get to those who may be in true violation of immigration laws is ludicrous. These are innocent children and are in no way responsible for any real or perceived violations. The potential presence of ICE officers on a school campus invites dangerous circumstances that can threaten the liberty and life of our children and those charged with their protection when on school property. The bulk of this bill addresses the need for accountability for appropriate general school safety and disaster planning, which I am in full support of. I believe it is appropriate to consider the potential for ICE agents to invade the public school arena as a threat to the safety of our children. There is no valid reason for this to happen. In my opinion, this Bill does not go far enough, only requiring a warrant for Immigration agents to invade. I would urge that an amendment be made to not allow Immigration agents on campus at all.
ICE should not be allowed on school grounds.
HB211 - Head start, etc., Head Start State Collaboration Office to develop for endorsement a report, etc.
Please pass this important bill
Voices proudly supports this bill’s commitment to universal access to evidence-based Head Start and Early Head Start programs for all eligible families across the Commonwealth. By directing the Head Start State Collaboration Office to develop a comprehensive, well-resourced plan that expands capacity, strengthens the early childhood workforce, and leverages innovative funding models, this legislation takes a critical step toward ensuring every child has a strong, equitable start in life.
I hope you read this article regarding education for social studies. Thanks https://www.baconsrebellion.com/excluding-social-studies-from-accountability-to-preserve-inquiry-is-mistaken/
HB 211 takes a vital step in strengthening Virginia’s early childhood care and education system by taking a clear, informed look at the current state of Head Start and Early Head Start across the Commonwealth and aiming to fortify it. At the core, Head Start provides a comprehensive and high-quality pre-k curriculum in a safe and warm learning environment for our most vulnerable children. Beyond the classroom, Head Start is truly a wrap-around service providing families with support to promote their physical and emotional health, mental wellness, and even financial well being. When families have access to Head Start services, children enter elementary school healthier, more prepared, and are more likely to succeed long term. HB 211 is critical for the future of Head Start in the state of Virginia. Nationally, there is a need for stronger state-level investment and coordination, especially as federal funding continues to wane. This bill lays the groundwork for exactly that by helping Virginia understand just how much the support is needed and how to responsibly maximize and protect this beloved program. Head Start’s mission statement is “to promote the school readiness of children from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development in learning environments”. HB 211 supports this mission by expanding and strengthening Head Start in Virginia, as this state-level support is needed now more than ever. When Head Start is strong, families are empowered and when families are empowered, children thrive. I respectfully urge you to support this bill. Thank you for your time and commitment to Virginia’s children and families.
ODACS does not take a position on HB 211. However, we would caution the subcommittee about the persistent safety gap that exists between licensed childcare in Virginia and Religiously Exempt childcare in Virginia. Contrary to conventional thought, Religiously Exempt centers are statistically safer than licensed centers. For example, according to data collected by the Department of Social Services, from 2021 to 2024, there were 175 founded cases of child abuse that occurred in licensed centers in Virginia. In the same 3-year period in Religiously Exempt childcare settings, there were 8 founded cases of child abuse. HB 211 would dramatically expand licensed childcare in our state. In our opinion, it is highly imprudent to do so without at least acknowledging the safety gap, let alone addressing it.
Early prevention and support are absolutely critical for children, especially those from underserved communities. Programs like Head Start provide children with access to early education, health screenings, and social-emotional support before they enter kindergarten. These early interventions lay the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. As a School Psychologist, I have seen firsthand how early support makes a difference. Children who have access to high-quality early learning programs are more prepared for school, develop stronger social-emotional skills, and are better able to engage in learning from the very first day. Head Start also provides families with resources and guidance that support their child’s development, creating a strong home-school connection that benefits children well beyond the classroom. Universal access to Head Start would ensure that all children, regardless of background, have the opportunity to start school ready to succeed.
The Virginia Head Start Association (VAHSA) supports this legislation directing the Head Start State Collaboration Office to develop a plan to maximize state support to Head Start and Early Head Start in Virginia. Establishing this goal reflects Virginia’s commitment to evidence-based early childhood services and coordinated state support for federally funded programs. We support the bill’s focus on capacity expansion, sustainable funding, and workforce stability, and look forward to continued collaboration with the General Assembly and state partners to strengthen and expand Head Start across Virginia. Submitted by Dawn Ault, VAHSA Executive Director
Affordability? Who is paying for all this? This is setting up fraud, waste, and abuse, on the Somali/Minn. level.