Fairfax County declined 615 ICE transfer requests over 16 months

County records show Fairfax County, Virginia, declined to transfer 615 individuals to ICE while turning over 11 between January 2025 and April 2026. The data covers the full year of 2025, when 448 individuals were not transferred and nine were turned over, and the first four months of 2026, when 167 were not transferred and two were turned over.

Fairfax County designated itself a sanctuary jurisdiction in 2021 under the Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. The policy bars local law enforcement from honoring ICE civil detainers or assisting with federal immigration enforcement.

Data and policy background A conservative legal group obtained the figures through a public records request to the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. The same group reported that Santa Clara County, California, received 529 ICE detainer requests in 2025 and honored none.

Statements from involved parties A spokesperson for the Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney's office said the Justice Department investigation into the office's policies is politically motivated and distorts the office's policy. The spokesperson added that the office's policies are fair, legal, and reflect the values of Fairfax County.

Counsel for the legal group stated that the county's policy shields individuals from federal law enforcement and endangers families in Northern Virginia. The group called for the county to reverse the policy.