This evening, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors is holding a public meeting to discuss a critical issue: the federal government's proposed purchase of an existing warehouse to be used as an immigration processing and detention center. The stakes could not be higher for our community.
Across the country, immigration detention centers have become hotspots for human rights abuses and discrimination. The concerns are not theoretical; they are urgent and real. In response to this threat, over 50 people of faith and goodwill, including Virginia judicatory leaders and Hanover pastors and clergy, have answered our call to action and signed up to testify at tonight's 6:00 pm meeting. The 3:00 pm closed session is an opportunity for the Hanover Board of Supervisors to meet with legal counsel to learn more about their options. We have learned that although the county cannot say NO to DHS’s plans for the facility, they can exhaust every legal avenue available regarding site review and inspections. The livestream of the meeting can be found at www.hanovercounty.gov.
A Growing Crisis of Violence
The timing of this proposal is especially troubling. As we witness violent encounters with immigration officers escalating nationwide, there have already been nine ICE related deaths from the last day of 2025 and today in 2026: Parady La, Heber Sanchez Dominguez, Victor Manuel Dias, Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Keith Porter, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti. Each name represents a life lost, a family shattered.
With ICE's increased presence in the Commonwealth, we face legitimate concerns about rising violence, racial profiling, and the over-policing of our communities, particularly with our most vulnerable neighbors. A detention center in Hanover County would only intensify these dangers.
The good news is that we are not powerless. Right now, several immigration bills are moving through the Virginia legislature that could help protect our communities. Your voice matters, and here's how you can use it:
Contact your state legislators today and urge them to support these critical bills:
- HB1438 and SB783 – Prohibit local law enforcement from collaborating with immigration enforcement
- HB1440 – Prohibit immigration enforcement on state and local government-owned land, including public schools, hospitals, and courthouses
- HB836 and SB491 – Prevent discrimination in schools based on immigration status
- HB1260 – Require notice when ICE is present on school grounds
Don't wait. Reach out to legislators and tell them where you stand. Attend tonight's 6:00 pm Board of Supervisors meeting if you can (7516 County Complex Rd, Hanover, VA 23069). Share this information with your neighbors, your faith community, and your networks. Our community's safety, dignity, and values are at stake. Will you stand with us?
In solidarity,
Keisha
Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook
Executive Director | 
