Richmond Protesters Demand End to ICE Cooperation Amidst Surge in Detentions

Richmond, Virginia – Over 100 demonstrators gathered at Richmond City Hall on Monday, August 11, 2025, chanting "No Justice, No Peace" to protest a significant escalation in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across Virginia. The rally, organized by the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality and several allied groups, highlighted concerns over what advocates describe as aggressive and opaque detention tactics.The protest followed a wave of detentions throughout the summer, including the high-profile case of 21-year-old Ricardo Martinez-Cantero, who was deported to Honduras after being stopped by masked, plainclothes agents in unmarked cars. Advocates stated that Martinez-Cantero's car window was smashed, and he was denied contact with his mother during his detention. In a letter read at the rally, Martinez-Cantero described being held in crowded cells and mistreated before his deportation.Activists also cited the recent arrest of Arman Momand, a Henrico high school student and Afghan refugee, who was detained by ICE while leaving a court hearing. According to Fernanda Diaz-Castro, a coordinator with the Virginia Defenders, ICE statistics indicate that 868 individuals have been detained this year at Virginia's two immigration detention facilities, with 80% classified as posing "no threat" and having no criminal record. June 2025 saw arrests six times higher than in the previous year.The protesters presented a list of demands to city officials, including legislation to prohibit local police and agencies from cooperating with ICE, an end to covert policing tactics, and the closure of immigration detention centers in Virginia. They also called for rapid legal representation for detained residents and financial support for families impacted by deportations.Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's February order directing state police and the Department of Corrections to cooperate with ICE has been a central point of contention for immigrant advocates. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula stated that the city "does not and will not coordinate with ICE on deportation" and affirmed the Richmond Police Department's commitment to supporting local communities, regardless of immigration status. However, City Council Chair Cynthia Newbille clarified that city government has no control over federal law enforcement actions.