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Dear Neighbor,

This August, I have been spending as much time as possible across Fairfax, meeting with families and hearing directly about the challenges they face.

One concern I continue to hear is about President Trump’s mass deportation policies. Neighbors tell me about the stories they are seeing on television and social media and ask a basic question: who holds ICE agents accountable when they cross the line?

This week, that question became painfully local. In a parking lot near Bailey's Crossroads, an ICE agent pointed a gun at a Northern Virginia mom who was recording the encounter, accusing her of nearly running agents over — an accusation flatly contradicted by her dash cam video footage.

The broader pattern is troubling. ICE officials told me and others on the House Homeland Security Committee that only one officer has been referred for discipline for violating use-of-force policies since January 2025 — despite thousands of violent encounters and several deaths.

Any ICE officer who abuses their power must be investigated and held accountable.

As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am using my congressional oversight authority to demand answers from ICE, investigate its conduct, and push for accountability.

Last week, I conducted an unannounced congressional oversight visit to ICE’s temporary holding facility in Chantilly alongside Representatives Don Beyer and Suhas Subramanyam after reports of overcrowding and lengthy stays.

We did not witness overcrowding during our visit, but that does not resolve the reports that prompted our oversight. ICE officials told us they were complying with a recent court order limiting stays at temporary processing facilities like Chantilly to 12 hours.

This is exactly why Congressional oversight is so critical. By working in Congress and in the courts, we secured the ability to enter these facilities to ensure that the law is being followed.

Our oversight will continue. I will keep pressing for answers, transparency, and accountability to ensure everyone in federal custody is treated humanely and in accordance with the law.

Make sure to follow me on X, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads to stay up-to-date.

Please continue reading below to learn more about how I’ve been serving you. 

Federal workers should not be forced to choose between their jobs and a relocation that makes their commute longer, more expensive, and less practical.

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam and I are demanding answers from the Department of the Interior about plans to move 17 employees from the U.S. Geological Survey campus in Reston to Washington, D.C.

Reporting indicates employees are expected to begin working from the D.C. office next week and were told the move was intended to increase use of the Department’s headquarters. We are asking whether that justifies disrupting an entire office, separating employees from nearby contractors, and potentially pushing experienced federal workers out.

The concern is broader because the longtime U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) headquarters in Reston is also being considered for potential disposal and sale, while questions remain about the future of hundreds of USGS employees based there.

Federal workers are a critical part of our Fairfax community. Decisions that affect their jobs, commutes, and ability to serve the public deserve transparency and a clear justification.

Federal Funding Available for Affordable Housing Projects

Fairfax is accepting applications for approximately $1.8 million in federal funding to help preserve and expand affordable housing across our community.

The funding comes through the federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs and can support projects that acquire, build, or rehabilitate affordable housing for residents with low and moderate incomes.

Nonprofits, developers, and other eligible organizations can apply for projects that align with Fairfax’s housing priorities and help create or preserve affordable homes.

Federal programs like these are why I will continue working in Congress to protect resources that help Fairfax address the cost of housing and strengthen our communities.

Learn more about the funding opportunity and how to apply on Fairfax County’s website.

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I was grateful to hear directly from Major General James Ring, Colonel Gerald Mazur, and members of the Virginia National Guard about their mission and the work of the 91st Cyber Brigade.

Their service strengthens both our national security and Virginia’s resilience.

In Congress, I will keep working to ensure the Guard has the resources, cyber capabilities, and support it needs to carry out that mission.

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I visited Day & Zimmermann’s Reston office to meet with employees working on cybersecurity, national security, and protecting our critical infrastructure.

On the Homeland Security Committee, I am working to strengthen our cyber defenses and ensure Northern Virginia has the skilled workforce needed to keep our country secure.

Conversations like this help keep that work grounded in what our region actually needs.

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At Novara Recovery Center, I met with the team providing evidence-based care to people working toward recovery.

Their work is a reminder that recovery depends on access to quality treatment and strong community support. In Congress, I will keep working to expand access to behavioral health and substance use disorder services.