The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed new regulation to expand the definition of public charge, which is used in immigration cases as a ground of inadmissibility and deportation. The proposed rule has already exacerbated the current climate of fear and is discouraging immigrant families from obtaining necessary healthcare and services. CIRAC submitted a public comment opposing this change and urging DHS to withdraw the proposed rule. 

CIRAC will be at the Cville Sabroso festival on Saturday, September 15 at the Ix Art Park (522 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902).

​Activities begin at noon and end at 9pm. More details are available at the Facebook event. 

Concerned citizens must counteract the actions of ICE in Charlottesville, Albemarle and Nelson and pressure the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail Board to vote NO on voluntary collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE. It is NOT making our communities safer!

Join us at the next Jail Board meeting on Thursday, September 13 to show your support for our immigrant neighbors and to end collusion with ICE. The address is 160 Peregory Lane in Charlottesville.
​
The meeting starts at 12.30 PM but come early because seating is limited.

ALBEMARLE residents: you are encouraged to call your representatives ahead of the meeting and add your own thoughts, personal anecdotes and feelings about this issue in your call - that will make it more powerful!

Here are the Albemarle Board Members you should contact:

Mrs. McKeel: (434) 296-5841 
Sheriff Harding: (434) 972-4001 Ext. 0445
Mr. Walker: (434) 296-5841 Ext. 3400

What we've been up to recently:
-Representation at various civic events to raise awareness and recruit volunteers
-Training on sanctuary law
-Transportation of neighbors to Northern Virginia for ICE appointments
-Participation in Indivisible immigration protest, along with coalition partners
-CIRAC planning team meeting
-Stop Torturing Children Rally, Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center
-​Families Belong Together ... And Free Rally, organized by Indivisible Charlottesville; part of the national action organized by the Women's March

​Please complete our interest form.

Wednesday, September 26 @ 7:00pm: CIRAC informational and training meeting. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA. (park and enter from the back parking lot, accessible off Gordon and Virginia Avenues)

RECENT EVENTS

Saturday, August 25 @ 9:30am: CIRAC presented at the Cville Dems Breakfast.
Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, Downtown Branch. 

Thursday, August 23 @ 12:30pm: CIRAC and other local organizations working on the Stop ACRJ-ICE Collusion Campaign at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail Board Work Session protested the jail's notification of ICE when undocumented prisoners are released.

Monday, August 13 @ 12:00pm: CIRAC presented at the Lefty Lunch Ladies of Fluvanna County meeting.

Saturday, July 21: Tabled at the annual Nelson Dems Crab Feast at Mountain Cove Vineyard.

Thursday, July 19: Participated in the Women of the 5th and Legal Aid Justice Center's Immigration Forum at the Building Goodness Foundation in Charlottesville.

Alongside representatives from Legal Aid Justice Center, UVA students, and community activists, Charlottesville-area Immigrant Resource and Advocacy Coalition showed up at Albermarle Country Jail Board meetings, as the Board reviewed their policy of notifying ICE when undocumented detainees are released from jail. 

While the Jail Board voted to maintain their policy, the community demonstrated a strong presence in support of reversing the policy. 

News Coverage:  
CBS19 - Jail board votes to keep ICE notification policy
Daily Progress - Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Board votes to continue current ICE policy

On September 20, 2017, CIRAC partnered with Creciendo Juntos and Sin Barreras to host "Latino Voices: Faith-Based Outreach to the Latino Community" a gathering of faith communities and activists dedicated to advancing our collaborations.