“No one should have to live this way.” – Delegate Mike Jones
The fact that masked agents of the state are operating outside the rule of law, without accountability, shouldn’t be a conversation we’re having in America, let alone Virginia in 2025. Yet here we are, almost one year into an experiment which has seen masked ICE agents terrorize communities in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Charlotte, and, as of this week—New Orleans and the Twin Cities.
Masked raids are not about “law and order,” instead they’re about weaponizing fear and normalizing the unthinkable. ICE’s Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago was a prime example of this purposefully curated cruelty. Which included a raid where federal agents rappelled from Black Hawk helicopters onto an apartment building in the middle-of-the-night and saw members of the clergy assaulted when trying to reach immigrants at a detention facility.
Department of Justice records now show that only three percent of the hundreds arrested by ICE during this operation had any criminal record.
But just as these Democratic cities have been targeted by the Trump administration, Richmond must also consider the possibility of a similar scenario unfolding here. On October 20, Axios reported that Richmond, “is among a handful of U.S. cities reportedly being considered for a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office.”
This makes Delegate Mike Jones of Richmond and Chesterfield’s 77th District, and his proposed legislation banning law-enforcement from wearing face masks, so critical for accountability at this very moment. Following in the footsteps of California’s, No Secret Police Act, his bill would “prohibit certain state and federal law-enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings” while creating a civil penalties for officers who violate the law.
I wanted to catch up with Jones not only to discuss the likelihood of his bill passing in the General Assembly, but to also explore his personal motivations for drafting legislation that’s sure to draw national headlines… and the ire of the Trump administration.
What followed was a conversation about communities living in fear, our relationship to power, and the need for unwavering moral clarity in times like these.
Delegate Jones, thank you for taking the time to chat with me. I really want to start with your proposed legislation for 2026, which bans law-enforcement from wearing masks and covering their faces. Why do you think this, specifically, is important right now?
Look at where we’re at as a country. Parts of our community are flat out being terrorized—over policing is an understatement. No one, and I’m sorry, but no one should live in fear when they’re in their own homes, neighborhoods, and communities. No one should live in fear.
And that isn’t the case, especially in Southside Richmond.
I’ve represented South Richmond for ten years now in elected political spaces. And the work we did while I was on City Council in Southside Richmond, in the whole 9th District, resulted in the lowest calls for service out of anybody—whether it was leaves, potholes, or crime.
This included the Latino community. We worked overtime with the RPD, Mayor’s Administration, and City Council to build that relationship. That included vaccination events during Covid. Mayor Avula was the head of the Health District then and did a wonderful job. To see that eroded away in six months simply because some guy [Trump] wants to send ICE into the neighborhood and just start disappearing people.
For me, that rage, that anger, is what drove this legislation. I’m pissed, man. No one should have to live this way. They just shouldn’t.
Has there been any reporting on an acceleration of ICE operations in the district you represent?
We’ve seen it. We’ve seen it at Southwood. Right at the end of my driveway before I get to my neighbor’s driveway—a person—a brother—had their windshield broken, pulled out, took the car away. The glass is still there. That was right in my neighborhood. So this isn’t news in some fictitious place, that’s in South Richmond.
And [think] about the impact that’s had? I went to a couple of neighbors and asked, ‘Hey, are you ok?’ I went to the people’s house where that gentleman was staying and they didn’t answer, of course. I went to their next door neighbor just to check on them. They said ‘Delegate Jones there was this white van parked outside my house the past two, three days.’ You have a senior citizen living in their house, afraid, knowing that some strange car’s parked outside.
How is that fair? How is that justice? I think there’s an egregious offense to it. So, I look around and say ‘Well, who’s going to do something about it?’ That’s what I was elected for and that’s what I’m going to do.
This bill imposes penalties, including dismissal or misdemeanor charges for law-enforcement that doesn’t comply. That struck me as interesting. Do you believe penalties like these are necessary because law-enforcement won’t voluntary comply if the law passes?
I won’t say they won’t voluntarily comply. Because, again, they’ll do what they’re allowed to do, right? They are men and women that are under authority and if they are told to do a thing, I honestly believe they will. That’s what the legislation seeks to do. So we’re talking about the carrot and the stick. That’s just teeth on the back-end.
If someone chooses to willfully disobey this particular part of the code and they injure someone in the process, then they’re liable for it. We’re not trying to get at qualified immunity or anything of that nature. If you’re causing terror in our community—we’re telling you that this shit frightens us—and if you can’t listen to us on that, then we have something for you.
Just to clarify, we’re talking about ICE in Virginia or is this about law-enforcement in general?
ICE is the impetus, but it doesn’t stop with ICE. Again, there are carve-outs. If someone is in tactical gear because they’re in a SWAT team that’s fine. But that’s not even the everyday wear for SWAT teams. Or if they’re going into a biohazard area, where they need an N95 mask. Or a riot situation, of course.
But if you’re just out, looking for someone, serving a warrant, or trying to detain someone and you have a mask on—no, that’s not OK. RPD does it every single day when they serve warrants, and they’re not in masks. Hell, I’ve seen ATF and DEA on Southside, and again, they’re about that life, but they’re not in masks. I’ve literally seen ATF Agents staging at the Walgreens on Hall and Warwick and they didn’t have masks on.
Part of the argument they’ll make is that these agents need to be kept safe. It’s a ploy that ICE is using. They know what they’re doing. They’re trying to intimidate. They’re trying to scare.
They’re making an argument that they’re scared of being doxxed, but that’s not a legitimate fear when the power imbalance is so tilted in the direction of armed state agents.
That’s true.
Do you think this legislation will pass in the General Assembly? We just had a wave election on November 4th, but are you going to have enough support to get this through—will the Governor-elect sign this into law if it passes?
I can’t speak for the governor-elect. But I will say this based on her background; she was former CIA. If there’s anyone who might understand this space, I think she does.
We’re currently around or over a dozen co-patron requests [for this legislation]. We have several in the House, several in the Senate. Delegate Jessica Anderson, actually put out a hell of a TikTok explaining why she signed on to this legislation.
She did such a thorough job explaining what this legislation does because so many people just read the headline—‘He just wants to unmask agents.’ It’s not that. This is pro police, pro law-enforcement, pro safety.
But again, this is against anti-terroristic tactics. So I think it has a good shot.
Honestly, I guarantee that if you talk to some Republicans, they also have concerns [about masked agents]. Who wants someone running around their neighborhood in a mask? One of my greatest fears, and I think it has already happened, and you know where I’m going with this—people impersonating police officers. Whether it’s with a badge, car, or uniform.
The examples are there. It’s already happened.
Yes, someone’s going to put a mask on and kidnap someone. I’m sorry, that puts our immigrant Latino community at high risk. And that’s going to get someone unnecessarily hurt—it just is. You’re going to open up space for bad actors. So my thing is, take your mask off, identify yourself, and let’s do our jobs.
California just passed similar legislation called the No Secret Police Act, which I’m sure you’re aware of. Governor Newsom signed it into law in September. The Trump administration is now suing them in federal court. Are you worried that if this passes, Virginia might find itself in the same federal crosshairs?
I think we now have an excellent attorney general. I haven’t spoken to him about this, but I think Jay Jones is the man for the job. If this passes and the governor signs it, you better believe that our attorney general is going to be about that life.
But this isn’t just about Ds and Rs. This isn’t even just about Latinos. This is about all of us as Virginians. What are we saying as Virginians, where we would allow our neighbors to go through something like this?
So I think its a much broader discussion than just how it might impact the Latino community. We know how it’s impacting them, but how’s it impacting the rest of us along with them?
And we’re in this together, it’s solidarity for me.
Getting back to a point you made earlier about ICE raids in your district. There has been reporting that the GSA has raised a contract for an ICE office in Richmond. Do you have any information that suggests we’re at risk from ICE launching a major operation here like we’ve seen elsewhere?
And what do all of those cities have in common?
They’re all Democratic cities.
So you better believe they might come to Richmond, Northern Virginia, Newport News, and Norfolk. We can see the playbook. When this started in Washington DC and the troops were deployed there, a friend of mine asked, ‘What does this have to do with us?’ I said, if they’re going to Chocolate City, they’re coming for your city next—and they ended up in Chicago.
And with us having the sweep we did [on November 4th] and holding the majority, you better believe they might come for us. But Virginians, I believe, are going to meet this moment and say ’This is not how we’re going to live.’ Democrats, Independents, and Virginians spoke loudly in November, and we’re not done speaking yet.
This is not just about one particular bill. It’s about a larger, greater view of how we see ourselves; a greater worldview. Is Virginia truly for lovers, will we live up to that mantra, that motto? I think we can.
There’s another motto in Virginia too: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
No tyrants, right?
No tyrants… but just to clarify, there’s no signals yet about a major ICE operation coming to Richmond?
I don’t have any direct signals at this point. But looking at what MAGA Republicans have done, they will try and send a message to Virginia and the nation. But we sent a louder message on November 4th to the entire country. And we’re that lighthouse. Let’s bring our ships in and show how this is really done.
I’m so proud of Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and Jay Jones. I’m damn proud of the work Don Scott and all of the House did. The Senate is up next in two years, and we’re going to keep it going.
What’s happening right now is antithetical to being an American, so this is our chance to send our own manifesto—we’re for democracy, we’re for freedoms, we’re for choice. That’s what we’re for. We’re for love.
In drafting this legislation, was there an underlying philosophy or principal which guided you? Because we should all have a certain kind of moral clarity right now. There’s more than just the pragmatism of politics at play, there’s also the value of our beliefs. I know that’s a deep question to ask, but I think it’s important.
That gets to the praxis of politics and what we do. As an African-American, especially as an African-American pastor, what undergirds us and informs us—is that if they can do it to them— we’re next. If they do this to our Brown brothers and sisters, you better believe they’re coming for us next.
Martin Luther King said an ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ I’m not coming up with something that’s a new particular ideology. If we don’t stand up with our Latino brothers and sisters, they’re going to make them the other. They’re demonizing them. Saying they’re ‘illegals’— no, they’re human beings.
And to all my MAGA Christian nationalist brothers and sisters out there, let me just help you out: the bible says, ‘do not forget you were once a stranger in a foreign land.’ To everyone who came here looking for a better life, don’t forget when it was you in the barrio or ghetto.
That’s what I want to remind our white listeners because you need to join in. Unless you have Matapani lineage, your people migrated here. But that’s what I believe is our strength as a country.
Can you give us a peek behind the curtain in the General Assembly. Do your Republican colleagues share a similar level of concern for this kind of unchecked state power? Because you did say it made some of them uncomfortable.
The reality is this, Republicans know that Trump cost them this election. They know that. They know this was a referendum on Donald Trump and the policies coming out of DC. They know unless they course correct, they will not see anywhere near the majority ever again. So if they’re not reading the tea leaves, God bless them.
I’m not introducing this legislation just because we’re in the majority. It’s not about that. I think I can convince several members of the Republican party once I have a chance to sit down and talk with them. Not just about the carve outs for law-enforcement, but how it’s impacting my community. Because, they’re not going into white communities. They’re not going into Midlothian, Bon Air, or Monument Avenue. They’re in our neighborhoods.
And we’re scared senseless when we see a bunch of—I’m sorry—white folk in masks. That ain’t good for me. So I’m not being tongue and cheek. The thought of it is ridiculous.
I agree. It’s crazy that we’re even talking about the need for this kind of legislation.
I’m damn proud to carry this legislation. I’m damn proud to fight for our Latino communities in the Richmond metro area. I will say this though, we have to recognize the fact that Senator Kaine and Warner are also carrying this at the federal level.
I have to recognize that Tim Kaine started this. He’s filled with so much love and compassion.
He is a deeply moral man.
I’m happy to follow his leadership.
Final question, because I know we’re coming up on time. You’re up for a special election in January to take over Lt. Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi’s seat. What should voters know about your candidacy?
I’ve been endorsed by the people they’ve trusted. Do you trust Ghazala Hashmi? She’s endorsed me. Do you trust Jay Jones? He’s endorsed me. For those in Richmond, you voted for Mayor Danny Avula—we’re going to announce, depending on this interview—his endorsement.
Here’s why they’ve endorsed me, I have the most legislative experience in this race. Eight years on Richmond City Council, two years in the House representing both Richmond and Chesterfield. I’ve done the balance of two different localities with two difference needs. My opponent is just focused on Chesterfield, not understanding the historicity of the annexation of South Richmond from Chesterfield. It was annexed from Chesterfield to dilute the African-American vote in Richmond City back in 1972, 1973.
The next piece is, you don’t go to the Senate to learn, you go to lead. Leadership’s not about following me, it’s about following you. I have to be there with you. I got to spend time with you.
When we talked about removing the statues, I began that legislative fight back in 2017. I took on Dominion in my first session, calling for a moratorium on fossil fuel projects that always end up in Black, Brown, and white working class neighborhoods. I took on gun manufacturers. That’s the type of leadership you need in the Senate writing legislation.
That’s why all of the constitutional officers in Chesterfield have endorsed. Everyone outside of maybe one of two people in Richmond politics have endorsed. I just want to go and serve.
Delegate, I think that’s a great place to call it. I really appreciate you taking the time to chat with me. I wish you all the best in the Senate race.
I appreciate you man. But can I say this as well man, your hair is fire [both laughing].
Men of a certain age have a lot of problems, right? Losing my hair will never be one of them!
Ed. Note: This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Support RVA Magazine. Support Independent Media in Richmond.
At a time when media ownership is increasingly concentrated among corporations and the wealthy, RVA Magazine has remained one of Richmond’s few independent voices. Since 2005, the magazine has provided grassroots coverage of the city’s artists, musicians, and communities, documenting the culture that defines Richmond beyond the headlines.
But we can’t do this without you. A small donation, even as little as $2, one-time or recurring, helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside interference. Every dollar makes a difference. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE.
We’ve got merch HERE
Subscribe to the Substack HERE
And Reddit HERE
And YouTube HERE
