"Trying to intimidate ahead of next year's election"… Residents uneasy as anti-immigration flyers spread across Alexandria vehicles

Disguised as 'Sanctuary City Notice' Impersonating DHS

Fears of Voter Suppression Prompt Alexandria Police Investigation

With the federal election just weeks away, residents in a residential neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia, have been left unsettled after anti-immigrant flyers fraudulently displaying a federal agency's logo were distributed in large numbers. Local residents are strongly pushing back, calling the incident an attempt to suppress immigrant voter turnout and sow distrust in the election.

Earlier this week, numerous flyers titled "Arlington Community Watch Sanctuary City Information Notice" were placed on the windshields of vehicles parked along residential streets in Alexandria.

The flyers claimed that "illegal immigrants" are barred from voting in elections for the President, Vice President, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and are prohibited from entering or residing in the United States. Notably, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) logo was prominently printed in the bottom corner, disguising the flyer as an official warning from a federal government agency. The flyer also listed a hotline number to report violations of federal voting and immigration laws.

Local residents stated, "It was clearly intended to drive a specific narrative, instill fear that the election process is neither fair nor safe, and depress voter turnout," adding, "All of our neighbors agreed that such actions can never be tolerated."

Indeed, a DHS spokesperson drew a clear line in an official statement, saying, "Our agency is not involved in any way with the distribution of these flyers."

Meanwhile, community vigilance is on the rise amid a series of deliberate attempts to stoke anxiety, particularly in immigrant-dense neighborhoods, right before the election. The Alexandria Police Department is currently tracking down the suspects who distributed the flyers through surveillance footage analysis and other investigative means.

Residents who witnessed the incident or have relevant video footage are asked to contact the Alexandria Police Department (Sgt. John Jones at 703-746-6867).