RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — For a short period in his first State of the City address on Wednesday, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula detailed the city’s decision not to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when it comes to public safety.
During the 90-minute remarks at Southside Community Center on Wednesday, March 25, Avula said his public safety priorities are about building transparency with the Richmond Police Department (RPD). He believes this should include growing the trust between Black and immigrant communities as “federal authorities are acting in incredibly harmful ways in Richmond,” according to the mayor.
Avula highlighted the decision not to sign a federal 287(g) agreement, which would allow local law enforcement to aid immigration agents in carrying out their responsibilities under federal oversight.
WATCH: Richmond Mayor Avula hosts his first-ever State of the City
Avula added that Richmond officers have begun to differentiate themselves from immigration agents…