Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti speaks at a recent anti-ICE demonstration (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
The House Judiciary Committee continued a war of words with many of Arlington’s local leaders in a new report slamming attempts to shield undocumented immigrants.
Building on aggressive letters to several local agencies earlier this year and an ongoing public dispute with Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, the committee took aim at policies at the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in a 23-page interim staff report reviewed by ARLnow.
Police used a Taser to subdue a man who allegedly advanced on an officer with a broken bottle outside a Clarendon business Saturday morning.
Officers were called to a reported assault in the 2700 block of Wilson Blvd around 11 a.m. They determined that a man had walked into the business, broken a glass bottle and begun waving it around, according to the Arlington County Police Department.
This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Janice Chen, Esq., and Victoria Khaydar, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.
Temporary Protected Status is supposed to be temporary. Congress built it that way on purpose. Congress also built it to be predictable, so that the people who rely on it, and the employers who hire them, know where they stand. Congress also did that on purpose. The statute sets deadlines and requires the government to publish its decisions.
In September, the unstoppable force of TPS elimination met the immovable object of “Here come the midterms!” and the Trump Administration simply blinked, but in such a way that nobody will be happy: neither the federal judiciary, nor immigration hawks, nor, God knows, TPS beneficiaries themselves.
How TPS is supposed to work
The TPS statute, 8 U.S.C. § 1254a, is not complicated. At least 60 days before a country’s designation expires, the Secretary of Homeland Security must review conditions in that country. He must then decide whether to extend or terminate the designation, and publish that decision in the Federal Register. A termination cannot take effect until at least 60 days after that notice is published.
Congress also anticipated a Secretary who doesn’t get around to deciding. Here is the text, in relevant part (our highlights in bold):
If the Attorney General does not determine under subparagraph (A) that a foreign state no longer meets the conditions for designation under paragraph (1) by the time required under such subparagraph, the period of designation of the foreign state is extended for an additional period of 6 months (or, in the discretion of the Attorney General, a period of 12 or 18 months).
El Salvador: 25 years, and then nothing
El Salvador has been designated for TPS since the earthquakes of 2001. Its most recent extension, published in January 2025, ran through September 9, 2026. The deadline for the Secretary’s decision was therefore July 11, 2026.
July 11 came and went, and so did September 9, with no Federal Register notice of any kind. Instead, the USCIS El Salvador TPS page now carries this alert:
An announcement on El Salvador’s TPS will be made at the appropriate time. Until such announcement is made, Salvadoran individuals present in the U.S. under TPS retain protection including work authorization.
“At the appropriate time.” The appropriate time was July 11!
Our reading of the statute is that El Salvador’s designation has been extended by operation of law, for at least six months, to March 9, 2027. The government hasn’t said so, and it may claim that a termination decision was made quietly and never announced. Even on that theory, the statute requires that a termination be published, and it cannot take effect until 60 days after publication. Either way, no Salvadoran TPS holder should lose status without at least 60 days’ public notice in the Federal Register.
A U.K.-based quantum computing company is establishing a new U.S. headquarters in Arlington.
Phasecraft, which develops algorithms for quantum computers with a focus on industrial applications, plans to create 19 jobs in Ballston, Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s office announced in a press release today (Monday).
Please join us in congratulating Benny Mirpuri, owner of Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repair at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, on reaching an incredible 35 years in business.
For three and a half decades, Benny has proudly served the Pentagon City and surrounding communities, providing quality jewelry and watch repair services along with the exceptional customer service that has made Fast-Fix a trusted local business.
The Wakefield Warriors finished a surprising second in the Liberty District golf tourney (photo by Dave Facinoli)
The results certainly weren’t projected to turn out so favorably for the Wakefield Warriors golf team.
The co-ed high-school golf squad entered the seven-team 18-hole Liberty District tournament at Herndon Centennial Golf Course as a lower seed. A fourth-place finish would have been considered a success.
The 6th Annual Boulevard Manor Neighborhood Yard Sale returns on Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. More than 30 homes across the neighborhood will have items out for sale, from furniture and tools to kids' items, kitchen goods, vintage finds, and more. A free shopper map will be available at magnificentmanors.com/ysmap the week before the event so you can plan your route. This is one of South Arlington's favorite fall traditions and a wonderful morning for the whole family. No admission, no registration required to shop. Just come and enjoy the neighborhood.
The newly rebranded Two Chefs Greek Couzina (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
After 42 years as a full-service Greek restaurant in the Bluemont neighborhood, Two Chefs Pizza has rebooted as a fast-casual spot.
Now known as Two Chefs Greek Kouzina, the restaurant at 5019 Wilson Blvd has installed menu screens, a self-service kiosk and new decor in response to changing market trends and personal circumstances.
Becky Meiers speaks to County Board members (screenshot via Arlington County)
Boosters of a resurrected community radio station acknowledge they will have to build trust before establishing deep bonds with the county government.
Given the county government’s past experiences with Arlington Independent Media (AIM), “we know [a relationship] will take time to build,” Becky Meiers, who with Ted Schneider cofounded Radio Arlington, told the County Board.
Artists will be displaying their works and welcoming the community. Studios in South Arlington will be open on Saturday, Sept. 26, with those in North Arlington open Sunday, Sept. 27 — both days running 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clouds and sun over Rosslyn and the 14th Street Bridge (staff photo)
Langston Blvd Project Approved — County Board members on Saturday voted 5-0 to permit razing of the former Air & Space Force Association building at 1501 Langston Blvd, replacing it with a residential project totaling 88 condominium units plus a ground-floor museum and underground parking. —Scott McCaffrey
FAA Clears Trump’s Arch — The Federal Aviation Administration has determined the proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery poses no hazard to aircraft. Designers must add an “eternal flame” at the top and floodlights around the base to keep it visible to pilots. [Fox 5]
AI Tool Debuts at DCA — A new Federal Aviation Administration artificial intelligence system launches today at Reagan National, Dulles and BWI, crunching schedule and weather data to predict delays and recommend alternate routes. Officials said the tool, called SMART, will advise controllers rather than replace them. [NYT, Politico]
More Flock Talk Tuesday — County Board members at their Tuesday meeting will have a more robust discussion on last week’s decision to eliminate the county’s use of Flock cameras while also tackling the issue of license-plate readers generally, Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said over the weekend. “Your concern, I think, is fair and well-placed,” he said in response to those who turned up at Saturday’s board meeting to press for more restrictions on the future use of such surveillance equipment. —Scott McCaffrey
Collages Honor Black Neighborhoods — Artist Zane Killgo, a fifth-generation Arlingtonian, will present three oversize digital collages of Green Valley, Johnson’s Hill and Hall’s Hill on Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Langston Boulevard Alliance office. The free reception includes a panel discussion with residents of all three neighborhoods. [WTOP]
Kiwanis Honors Longtime Educator — Meg Tuccillo, who spent three decades with Arlington Public Schools including 17 years as assistant superintendent for administrative services, has received the Kiwanis Club of South Arlington’s Harro & Janie Wulf Legendary Service Award. Past honorees include former Rep. Jim Moran. [Kiwanis]
Human Chain at Kennedy Center — Thousands gathered outside the Kennedy Center on Friday evening to protest President Donald Trump’s plans for the building, at one point linking hands around it. A federal judge has ordered the center to give 30 days’ notice before any major physical changes, including demolition. [Associated Press, WTOP]
Community Service in Fatal Crash — A driver who jumped a curb on a Leesburg Pike service road near Seven Corners and killed Sean King, 38, in June left court Thursday after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor and completing 20 hours of community service. Fairfax County police said the driver was distracted. [NBC 4]
Beyer Blasts Press Ban — “Yes Trump’s ban on news media outlets is unconstitutional, illegal, un-American, and authoritarian, and yes it will be struck down in court,” Rep. Don Beyer (D) said of the president barring outlets from the White House. “It’s also extreme loser behavior.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Blame the September Shock — D.C.-area traffic feels worse right now not because there are more cars, but because school and office schedules squeeze trips back into traditional rush hours, WTOP traffic expert Dave Dildine told Axios. Fall congestion also shifts inside the Beltway, including Arlington. [Axios]
Data Center Crackdown — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed an executive order establishing what her office calls the nation’s most aggressive data center accountability framework, banning state nondisclosure agreements, ending by-right approvals for projects generating more than 25 megawatts and requiring the centers to pay a larger share of electric costs. [FFXnow, Washington Post]
It’s Monday — Mostly cloudy today with a high near 75 and a 40% chance of rain showers after noon. Northeast winds around 9 mph. Showers and thunderstorms move in overnight, with a low around 62 and a 90% chance of rain. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
