FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
August 7, 2025
LINK to PDF of press release

Virginia Faith Organizations Oppose Use of National Guard  for Mass Deportation of Immigrants 

Joint statement from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Congregation Action Network 

Richmond, Va. – The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Congregation Action Network, and faith communities across Virginia are deeply alarmed by Governor Glenn Youngkin’s decision to deploy the Virginia National Guard to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday. This decision, part of a broader federal strategy to escalate mass deportations, further militarizes our immigration system and threatens the safety and dignity of our immigrant neighbors. 

Although the Governor claims that the Guard will only assist with “administration and processing,” such involvement directly expands ICE’s enforcement capacity by freeing up agents for raids, arrests, and deportations. This is not a neutral act — it is actively participating in a system designed to criminalize people who migrate and tear families apart. This type of action causes fear that tears at the social fabric, terrorizing Virginia’s residents. 

As people of faith, we reject this misuse of military resources. We stand with our immigrant siblings who live, work, worship, and raise families in our communities. We know that militarized policies cause real harm: children are being separated from their parents, eroding trust in local institutions like schools and law enforcement, and creating an atmosphere of fear throughout entire communities. 
 
We call on Governor Youngkin to immediately reverse this directive. Virginia should be a place of welcome and refuge — not a launching pad for mass deportation. 
We also call on all people of conscience to contact their elected officials, mobilize their communities, and join us in saying: No military in our neighborhoods. No National Guard for ICE. Not in our name. 
 
Wed. Aug. 13, 7p.m. – Interfaith Prayer Service for our immigrant neighbors 
(virtual: register HERE to receive the link) 
 
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy will host a virtual prayer service focused on welcoming and supporting the immigrant community. Learn about the shared call to welcome the stranger from various religious traditions and listen to testimonies from those who have experienced being newcomers to the United States.  

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook 
Executive Director, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 
lakeisha@virginiainterfaithcenter.org  

Rev. Julio Hernandez 
Executive Director, Congregation Action Network 
julio@congregationactionnet.org  

Media Contact 
Roberta Oster 
Communications Director 
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 
roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org