A local nonprofit working to help those facing the impacts of incarceration used a recent gathering to recommit to its advocacy and supportive services.
OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church held its 17th annual Liberation Gathering yesterday (Thursday), providing both an update on activities and a call for future efforts.
A little-known park’s role in Civil War and aeronautics history may get a refresh as Falls Church celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday this year.
The Falls Church250 Committee is discussing options for sprucing up Fort Taylor Park, making it more accessible to the public and spotlighting the important history that took place in 1861.
In the months of November and December 2025, the Trump Administration took four related actions: (1) they froze all adjudication of applications for nationals subject to a related travel ban, (2) they announced that being from one of those countries would be a ‘significant negative factor’ in benefits adjudication, (3) they froze adjudication of all affirmative asylum claims, and (4) they announced a ‘re-review’ of all immigration benefits granted to people from a list of thirty-nine countries since the beginning of the Biden Administration. We told you, as these policies were introduced, that they were going to be controversial – we told you that litigation would put an end to them, because “[s]ome federal judge, somewhere, will say ‘enough.'”
Last week, a federal judge, John J. McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, said “Enough!” in vigorous language, striking down all four policies in a strongly worded decision. The purpose of this advertorial is to explain: (1) why the federal district court took this action, (2) what real-world effects we expect this to have, and (3) what the Trump Administration’s prospects on appeal are.
First, what did Judge McConnell’s decision say?
In short, Judge McConnell flatly rejected the government’s claim that its decisions were non-discriminatory and rooted in a reasonable desire to ensure security and accurate adjudication. It’s worth lingering over the language that Judge McConnell employs in his introduction.
“But the rule of law has to apply to everyone equally and, as evident here, USCIS has neither “followed the law” nor “done things the right way.” Indeed, the agency has violated the very immigration laws that Congress has charged it with administering, as well as the administrative laws that govern the agency’s actions. In enacting its latest immigration policies, USCIS: claims statutory and regulatory authority that it does not possess; makes decisions without the reasoned explanations that it must provide; acts without regard for the reliance interests of applicants that it must consider; and justifies its actions with pretextual concerns of “national security” that mask anti-immigrant sentiments that it is forbidden from letting influence its decision-making. In legal terms, that means USCIS’s actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious.”
What Judge McConnell means, more or less, is that the Trump Administration can’t use the administrative apparatus of USCIS to accomplish its policy goals without either passing a statute or promulgating a regulation. As a reminder, the Trump Administration didn’t even try to promulgate a regulation concerning any of the above memoranda, it simply announced them, one ukase after another.
Now, what will the Trump Administration do?
Our prediction is cynical: The Trump Administration will do nothing. They’ll slow-walk any compliance with Judge McConnell’s order while they file an appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking an emergency stay of Judge McConnell’s order. If they lose at the First Circuit, they’ll seek another form of emergency relief, via the Supreme Court’s so-called “shadow docket.” Only if the Administration loses twice on appeal will they even contemplate compliance with this order.
What should applicants for benefits affected by these newly unfrozen orders do? The right answer depends on the individual case. The great majority of applicants, we suspect, will choose to wait and see what the outcome of the government’s appeal will be. We’ll report on that, too, when the next round of litigation is concluded.
Metro Hair Toucher Back in Jail — A man accused of recording himself touching women’s hair on Metro trains will remain jailed after a D.C. judge ordered him held for violating the terms of his bail. Bryan Betancur, 28, is facing two misdemeanor assault charges, a stalking charge, and a separate assault charge in Arlington County that can’t move forward while he’s in D.C. custody. [NBC Washington]
Beyer Revives Surtax Bill — “The Millionaires Surtax is an urgently needed plan to restore fairness to the tax code, fight accelerating inequality, and fund important priorities for the American people,” Rep. Don Beyer (D) said of legislation he reintroduced Tuesday with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). The bill would add a 10-point surtax on income above $2 million for couples and $1 million for individuals. [Press Release]
Palooza Returns Next Month — Arlington Palooza is back Saturday, May 16 from 1–6 p.m. at Lubber Run Community Center and Park. The free festival will feature live music, local vendors, food trucks, and family activities. [Arlington County]
Best Boba Options — Arlington Magazine rounds up bubble tea spots in and around Arlington, including Best of Arlington winner Chill Zone Café near Yorktown, plus Bees & Tea, Kung Fu Tea, TNR Café and Spot of Tea. [Arlington Magazine]
Local Bakery Expands to Old Town — Rosslyn-based Eclairons, a family-owned bakery offering French pastries with Lebanese flavors, has expanded to Old Town Alexandria at 430 S. Washington Street. [ALXnow]
Bishop Responds to Trump — On his latest Walk Humbly podcast, Arlington Diocese Bishop Michael Burbidge “speaks clearly and firmly in response to recent social media attacks from President Trump directed at the Holy Father and the Church.” [Arlington Diocese]
Ex-Lt. Gov. Murder-Suicide — “Justin Fairfax shot several times and killed his wife, ran to a different part of the home and then killed himself with the same firearm,” Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a briefing Thursday. The former Virginia lieutenant governor, 47, and wife Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, 49, were in the midst of divorce proceedings. [FFXnow]
Dark Money Floods Referendum — “About 95 percent of the total $93 million raised so far in Virginia, as of a Monday night filing deadline, came from nonprofit groups not required to disclose their donors.” Democrats’ Virginians for Fair Elections has reported $64 million, including nearly $40 million from a House Democrats-aligned nonprofit. [Washington Post]
Another Statewide Poll — A State Navigate poll of 707 likely voters shows Virginia’s redistricting referendum leading 51-45, with Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s approval split at 47-47. State Sen. Louise Lucas (D) said on X: “The problem she has to correct is her policies don’t match her rhetoric from the campaign trail. Her issue is credibility.” [State Navigate, Sam Shirazi/X]
Spanberger Amends Data Center Bill — “We fully supported the legislation’s original goals of lowering costs for our customers, expanding energy assistance, and reducing outages. The amendments undermine these goals,” a Dominion Energy spokesperson said. The governor’s changes strike the bill’s explicit cost-shift onto data centers. [Virginia Mercury]
Marijuana Sales Delayed — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has proposed amendments to retail marijuana legislation that would push the legal market’s launch from January to July 2027 and cut the number of permitted stores from 350 to 200. [FFXnow]
Virginia, Md. Diverge on AI — “Right now there’s a patchwork of regulations with states driving the conversation,” KFF Health News correspondent Lauren Sausser told WAMU. Maryland passed a law last year requiring a human reviewer when AI is used in coverage decisions; similar Virginia bills were vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), and most new AI legislation has been delayed until 2027. [WAMU]
It’s Friday — Expect a chance of rain showers before 1 p.m., then mostly sunny skies with a high near 83 and a northwest wind around 7 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 62. [NWS]
Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 16, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
There is a 30% chance of showers mainly before 11 a.m., followed by mostly sunny skies with a high near 83°F. Winds will come from the northwest at about 7 mph. Overnight, expect mostly clear conditions with a low around 62°F and light, variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
The world’s biggest matches deserve a bigger crowd, so join us this summer on Wednesdays for all the FIFA World Cup 26™ action at Arlington Mill Community Center. Experience the passion, drama, and nonstop excitement of international soccer on the big screen, surrounded by fellow fans, music, games, and high-energy vibes.
Across three exciting matchdays, from early tournament clashes to a thrilling semifinal, the Arlington Mill Plaza, Gaming Lounge, and Gym will transform into the ultimate soccer celebration space. Cheer for your favorite teams and enjoy a shared match day experience with the Arlington community.
Two years after Arlington Independent Media’s implosion, the organization’s FM radio station is seeking a second life with a focus on education, news and the arts.
Despite AIM laying off its entire staff in March 2024 and losing its entire broadcast studio at a county auction following a blistering financial audit, the organization’s remaining legal and technical representatives have petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to transfer the license to WERA 96.7.
A federal commission has approved the design concept for the 250-foot triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants to build at Memorial Circle.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve the concept at its meeting today (Thursday). Its members, all appointed by Trump, will review an updated design before taking a final vote at a future meeting.
Arlington’s surge in property crime during and after the pandemic was the highest in the country by one measure, exceeding large increases in other urban areas.
Between 2020 and 2024, crimes against property — including larceny, vandalism and motor vehicle theft — increased by 60.5% in Arlington, home security company Vivint reported yesterday (Wednesday). The next-highest increase among studied localities was in Chicago (up 56.2%) followed by New York City (up 54.7%).
Under new ownership, a longtime pizzeria on Langston Blvd is receiving a brand new look, name and internationally inspired menu.
Zesto Pizza has replaced Citi Pizza and Wings, ushering in a new menu and interior renovations at 5127 Langston Blvd. Led by Arlington chef Tushar Chawda, the revamped business plans to soft open tomorrow (Friday), offering up “global fusion pizzas” and appetizers inspired by international cuisines.
An Arlington probation officer warned a judge last year that a local man — now charged with attempted rape — was on the verge of a slippery slope of increasing violent crime.
Luzvin Orvando Garcia Moran, whose arrest has also caught the attention of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) because of his immigration status, remains in jail following a violent attack in Clarendon.
