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Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests of people without criminal charges or convictions have jumped in D.C., Virginia and Maryland, newly obtained data shows.

Why it matters: The numbers illustrate a major shift that occurred soon after the Trump administration tripled ICE's daily arrest quota.

Driving the news: In Virginia and D.C., people without criminal charges or convictions made up an average of 60% of daily ICE arrests in early June, per agency data obtained by the UC Berkeley School of Law's Deportation Data Project. That's up from about 50% in early May, before the quota increase. 

That percentage was only slightly lower in Maryland: 55%, up from 49% in May.

In January, ICE didn't conduct any D.C. noncriminal arrests.

Data: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via UC Berkeley; Note: Arrests were counted even if they did not lead to detainment; Multiple arrests of the same individual were counted separately; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

The big picture: Nationwide, an average of 47% of daily ICE arrests were of people without criminal records in early June, a jump from about 21% a month prior.

The spike came despite the Trump administration's claimed focus on criminals living in the country illegally.

And it happened just after the Trump administration told ICE to arrest at least 3,000 people daily, up from 1,000.

The other side: Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to Axios that 70% of ICE arrests were for immigrants with criminal convictions or pending charges, but did not elaborate on that figure.

Context: Being in the U.S. illegally is a civil, not criminal, violation.

The intrigue: Virginia is one of a few states where efforts to arrest and remove unauthorized immigrants is most aggressive.

In February, the state launched the nation's first task force that partners with federal agencies to target illegal immigration.

Feds have also accessed Virginia's automatic license plate reader system for immigration enforcement this year — though a new state law more strictly regulates the use for criminal or missing/endangered person investigations only.

By the numbers: Overall, ICE arrests are up more than 350% in Virginia since 2024, according to the New York Times. Nearly 3,000 people were arrested between January and May — nearly outpacing larger states like New York.

Meanwhile, ICE has been ramping up enforcement at courthouses across the U.S.

Zoom in: Fairfax County, home to hundreds of thousands of immigrants and Virginia's largest immigration court, has seen twice as many arrests as others in the state, according to the Times.

Advocates say ICE agents arrested several people showing up for immigration hearings at the Annandale courthouse last month.

Flashback: Immigration enforcement at courthouses wasn't allowed under the Biden administration. It's happened in others, but not commonly.

What they're saying: "This is different. This is a lot more public," Daniel Morales, a Virginia Commonwealth University professor specializing in immigration, tells Axios Richmond. 

"They're not waiting for a final court order. Instead, they're picking up people in the process."

ICE arrests of noncriminals surge in the DMV

The spike happened shortly after the Trump administration tripled ICE's daily arrest quota.

Illustration of silver handcuffs connected by a chain shaped like an upward-trending zigzag line on a solid orange background.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests of people without criminal charges or convictions have jumped in D.C., Virginia and Maryland, newly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="obtained data shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/trump-ice-raids-arrests-immigration" data-vars-content-id="1da5ad96-c433-49a4-8f7d-0cc1501f5cc8" data-vars-headline="ICE arrests of noncriminals surge in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/trump-ice-raids-arrests-immigration" target="_self">obtained data shows</a>.Why it matters: The numbers illustrate a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/15/trump-strategy-deport-legal-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="1da5ad96-c433-49a4-8f7d-0cc1501f5cc8" data-vars-headline="ICE arrests of noncriminals surge in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/15/trump-strategy-deport-legal-immigrants" target="_self">major shift</a> that occurred soon after the Trump administration tripled ICE&#x27;s daily <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="arrest quota" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/immigration-ice-deportations-stephen-miller" data-vars-content-id="1da5ad96-c433-49a4-8f7d-0cc1501f5cc8" data-vars-headline="ICE arrests of noncriminals surge in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/immigration-ice-deportations-stephen-miller" target="_self">arrest quota</a>.

News

Politics

Now, they're preparing for a more competitive regional market.Virginia's legal weed market is about to shake up the DMV's cannabis scene.

Why it matters: For years, Virginians have crossed into D.C. and Maryland to buy legal marijuana. That changes next July, reshuffling where customers, tax dollars and businesses flow across the region.

State of play: Five years after Virginia legalized marijuana possession — but not retail sales — Gov. Abigail Spanberger last week signed legislation creating the state's recreational cannabis marketplace.

The move comes after years of political gridlock spanning three governors and multiple vetoes.

During that time, D.C. and Maryland dispensaries have relied on Virginia customers — and those driving up from Southern states like the Carolinas — to help boost business. Now, they're preparing for a more competitive regional market.

The intrigue: Virginia's new hemp restrictions take effect Aug. 15 — nearly a year before the legal marketplace launches — creating what some operators expect will be a temporary bump in Virginia customers crossing into D.C.

The state is eliminating the years-old "25:1" hemp rule, which allows products containing THC to be sold if they're paired with much higher levels of CBD, the cannabis compound that isn't intoxicating. 

Removing that standard will make many hemp-derived THC products now sold in Virginia shops illegal. Spanberger says the change closes a loophole that allowed intoxicating products to proliferate, while hemp growers argue it'll wipe out much of their existing inventory.

What they're saying: "Virginia legalization is a double-edged sword," District Cannabis director Grace Hyde tells Axios.

Hyde, a cannabis advocate and small business operator, expects Virginia shoppers to continue crossing into D.C. once the hemp crackdown takes effect this summer. But when Virginia dispensaries open next July, many of those customers will likely stay home.

About 12% of District Cannabis customers either live in Virginia or travel through the state en route to D.C., she says. Those longer-distance shoppers also tend to buy in larger quantities than locals, she says, meaning their loss could have an outsized impact.

Yes, but: D.C.'s cannabis market will still have advantages. Unlike Virginia and Maryland, D.C. now allows on-site cannabis consumption. 

That's fueled a growing number of "cannabis hospitality" establishments like Higher Ground in Ivy City, which is set up like a brewery and beer garden for weed. Plus: cannabis wellness and yoga studios like Aligned DC.

The city is also expanding the offerings, with legislation underway for cannabis drink production.

Another selling point: Essentially all cannabis sold by D.C. dispensaries is from D.C.-licensed cultivation centers, allowing dispensaries to market smaller-batch, artisanal products — more craft beer than Bud Light.

What we're watching: District Cannabis plans to open a lounge above its Union Market shop this fall that will double as a coworking space by day and host yoga classes, craft nights and book clubs in the evenings.

"We'll feel some pain," Hyde says. "But any additional legalization is good for the cause."

Zoom in: Here's how Virginia's recreational marketplace will work:

Timeline: Retail marijuana sales begin July 1, 2027. Applications for licenses open Feb. 1, 2027 — about six months later than lawmakers originally proposed.

Limits: Adults 21 and older can purchase and possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.

Dispensaries: Retail licenses remain capped at 350 and will be issued in phases. Deliveries to homes and businesses will be allowed, and retailers can sell seeds and plants.

Tax: Virginia's cannabis sales tax will begin at 6% before increasing to 8% in 2029. Local governments can add another 1% to 3.5%. Revenue will support K-12 education, early childhood programs, behavioral health services and community reinvestment efforts.

Go deeper: After years of delays, Virginia's weed market gets a date. Here are the details

After years of delays, Virginia's weed market gets a date. Here are the details

Virginia is joining the DMV's legal cannabis market. Here's what changes

For years, Virginians have crossed into D.C. and Maryland to buy legal marijuana. That changes next July.

Illustration of a checkmark with a marijuana leaf on the end.

Illustration of a piece of marijuana being held suspended by red tape, a hand holding a pair of scissors is about to snip the tape.

Now, they&#x27;re preparing for a more competitive regional market.Virginia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legal weed market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" data-vars-content-id="9995ef6f-fb97-4d08-bb94-6d440ec7d790" data-vars-headline="Virginia is joining the DMV&#x27;s legal cannabis market. Here&#x27;s what changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" target="_self">legal weed market</a> is about to shake up the DMV&#x27;s cannabis scene.Why it matters: For years, Virginians have crossed into D.C. and Maryland to buy legal marijuana. That changes next July, reshuffling where customers, tax dollars and businesses flow across the region.

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Business

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the job market in the DMV, and it's likely to hit younger and entry-level workers particularly hard, a pair of recent reports found.

Why it matters: Younger workers and college grads were already facing a grim and "frozen" job market, and AI may make it worse.

The big picture: Virginia is quickly becoming a national hotspot for AI adoption — and disruption, according to a Virginia Chamber Foundation report released last year, looking at the effect of the technology on statewide jobs.

The state saw the fastest growth in ChatGPT use nationwide last year, per OpenAI.

Business use of AI has more than doubled since 2023, according to federal data.

The Virginia report estimates 1.5 million jobs statewide could be affected.

Between the lines: "Affected" doesn't mean eliminated — but it does mean tasks are likely to be automated or reshaped, potentially reducing future roles.

Who's impacted: Software developers, managers, customer service reps and retail salespeople are among Virginia careers with the "greatest AI exposure" risk.

Younger workers are likely to feel the risk exposure more because many entry-level tasks are automated.

The intrigue: The stakes for Northern Virginia are uniquely high — both for possibility and risk.

Up to 39% of jobs (about 543,600) are exposed to AI — double any other region in the state.

Roughly 169,000 "young-career jobs" (ages 21–35) face exposure.

Arlington has the third-highest share of jobs exposed to generative AI in the U.S., per Treasury data.

Yes, but: There's real opportunity — if workers can adapt. Employers are actively hunting for AI-skilled talent.

NoVa leads the state in AI job postings, with the biggest hubs in Arlington (nearly 12,500 unique postings), McLean, Reston and beyond.

The region is also actively training professionals. Tyson's Corner and Manassas reported the highest availability of AI training resources in the commonwealth, per the report. 

Northern Virginia Community College offers a unique Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics certificate program.

Zoom out: A separate report released in March by the Greater Washington Partnership examines the tech labor market in the Baltimore-to-Richmond region — and found that AI is already reshaping entry-level roles.

Between 2022 and 2025, the number of tech job postings in the region sharply declined, dropping by 45%–54% for financial managers, data scientists and other computer-related jobs.

Senior-level job postings also declined for the same fields over the same period, but only by 4%–28%.

The intrigue: Both reports found employers are increasingly looking for talent with AI literacy, plus soft skills like communication and creative critical thinking over specific computer program knowledge.

The bottom line: AI isn't wiping out jobs (yet), but it's rapidly reshaping what work looks like, who gets hired and what skills matter most — especially for the next generation in the DMV.

AI pressure grows on the DMV's young workforce

Illustration of a hand pulling a mug of coffee that reads "I (heart) my job" away from a robot hand

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the job market in the DMV, and it&#x27;s likely to hit younger and entry-level workers particularly hard, a pair of recent reports found.Why it matters: Younger workers and college grads were already facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grim" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/hiring-rate-jobs-employment-iran" data-vars-content-id="9ab080ab-f6ba-4fb2-ad54-6a40fde9f52e" data-vars-headline="AI pressure grows on the DMV&#x27;s young workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/hiring-rate-jobs-employment-iran" target="_self">grim</a> and &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frozen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/25/jobs-market-ai-indeed-retail" data-vars-content-id="9ab080ab-f6ba-4fb2-ad54-6a40fde9f52e" data-vars-headline="AI pressure grows on the DMV&#x27;s young workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/25/jobs-market-ai-indeed-retail" target="_self">frozen</a>&quot; job market, and AI may make it worse.

Virginia's unemployment rate is on a steady five-month increase — the longest streak since the 2008 Great Recession.

Why it matters: The Trump administration's federal job slashing and freezing of grants, contracts and medical research may be to blame.

State of play: Virginia's unemployment rate climbed to 3.4% in May, per new U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

While still below the national average (4.2%), the uptick marks the state's highest unemployment level since August 2021.

By the numbers: The state's total labor force decreased by more than 11,500 compared with last May, according to new Virginia Works household survey data.

Yes, but: Virginia's economy added nearly 50,000 nonfarm jobs over the past year, according to the state employment data, including 41,700 private sector jobs.

Also on the rise: Local government jobs (9,900) and state jobs (2,700).

Worth noting: While full June data won't be out until late July, unemployment claims have been up year-over-year every week thus far, per Virginia Works' weekly initial claims reports.

The intrigue: The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it is moving the first major federal agency — the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — out of D.C. to Alexandria, Virginia. 

Gov. Glenn Youngkin touted the new headquarters and its 2,700-plus employees as a win, according to Fox 5.

HUD will take over the National Science Foundation headquarters, according to ALX Now, displacing some 1,800 employees and causing a labor dispute.

What we're watching: Youngkin announced Friday that McLean-based IT company 22nd Century Technologies Inc. will expand its footprint in Virginia and create 880 new jobs across the state. A timeline is unclear.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to add June weekly initial claims data and information about a new IT company expansion in Virginia. 

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Richmond with Sabrina Moreno and Karri Peifer.

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Virginia unemployment rate sees longest rise since '08 crisis

Illustration of an upward trend line over a group of people, with others in the background grayed out

Virginia&#x27;s unemployment rate is on a steady five-month increase — the longest streak since the 2008 Great Recession.Why it matters: The Trump administration&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal job slashing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/18/trump-federal-workers-schedule-f-firings" data-vars-content-id="bec5d2ec-f400-47cf-9b29-63d38bf4cf30" data-vars-headline="Virginia unemployment rate sees longest rise since &#x27;08 crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/18/trump-federal-workers-schedule-f-firings" target="_self">federal job slashing</a> and freezing of grants, contracts and medical research may be to blame.

Virginia is noticeably absent from the forthcoming Southern restaurant guide that Michelin announced earlier this month.

Why it matters: The state tourism office declined to participate in the pay-to-play guide — a whopping $360,000 to be included, reports Axios Richmond's Karri Peifer.

The big picture: A Michelin star is one of the restaurant world's top honors, including in the U.S., where the French tire company has been inspecting restaurants since 2005.

But in recent years, Michelin's American coverage has often been contingent on which tourism boards pony up cash, reports the New York Times.

The payments—dubbed "partnership" money—started with a $600,000 payout from Visit California in 2019, which the Michelin guides' director told the NYT helped offset the cost of reviews.

Zoom in: For Virginia tourism officials, declining a deal with Michelin came down to money — $120,000 payments over three years.

The decision was also about "responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars," Juliana Thomas, Virginia Tourism Corporation communications director, tells Axios. VTC is a state-funded organization.

The intrigue: Michelin launched in D.C. with great fanfare nearly a decade ago, anointing a dozen restaurants with stars — including the Inn at Little Washington, which has always stood out as the only Virginia restaurant in D.C.'s red book. Also the only three-star destination, the highest honor, which they've retained since 2019.

D.C. has never paid for coverage. Michelin spokespersons tell Axios that while the organization works with "destination marketing organizations in some areas," this is not the case for all Michelin guides—and there are no partnerships in the District, including for last year's hotel guide.

Yes, but: Michelin's presence in D.C. isn't just about great restaurants. Upon its launch, Michelin's then-international director Michael Ellis told Washingtonian that Michelin's tire business — ironically, its bread and butter — was a factor in picking destinations.

"We need to make sure the locale is a locale that's of interest to the Michelin group, because, as you know, our main activity is not publishing guide books, it's making and selling tires," Ellis told Washingtonian.

As the home of the federal government, Ellis said D.C. offers proximity to federal agencies that regulate tires and also the armed services, which Michelin supplies.

An ornate garden room at the Inn at Little Washington with potted palm trees and umbrellas over tables

The ornate Inn at Little Washington is Virginia's only Michelin-starred restaurant. Photo: courtesy LDPR

How it works: For many, the prestige of Michelin is worth the cost: It can drive a huge increase in tourism and diners.

A restaurant that earns one Michelin star can expect to see around 20% more business; one that earns three can expect business to double, Food & Wine reported.

Culinary tourism is one of the fastest-growing travel segments.

Yes, but: Many high-profile Virginia chefs and restaurateurs Axios spoke with were okay with the Old Dominion's decision.

In Staunton, two-time James Beard semifinalist Ian Boden runs the kind of ambitious destination restaurants, the Shack and Maude & the Bear, that Michelin might award. A star would help business, Boden tells Axios. But he also admits he's tired of shelling out to food festivals and publications for "exposure."

 ​​"I'm kind of proud of the state for saying f--k that" to Michelin.

Between the lines: Secretive Michelin inspectors rate restaurants based on five core criteria — but some chefs like Inn at Little Washington alum Daniel Gleason worry about Michelin's impact on individuality.

His tiny wood-fired trailer Sumac, just down the road from the Inn, earned a place on NYT's "Best Restaurants in America" list last year. It boosted business so much that he had to hire staff. But he tells Axios, "Awards are a blessing and not necessarily a curse, but they're not all a good thing."

"Chefs are doing some awesome stuff in the state of Virginia without having to worry about Michelin. Places have the ability to create a restaurant culture that's against the grain without having to impress any guides."

Chef Ian Boden in the dining room of his restaurant Maude & the Bear photographed in Staunton, Virginia on August 23, 2024. (Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post via Getty Images).

Chef Ian Boden at Maude & the Bear. Photo: Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post via Getty Images.

Between the lines: Other chefs may buck against it, but The Inn's owner Patrick O'Connell credits Michelin for his country escape. He tells Axios that inspiration for the 47-year-old Inn came from traveling to countryside French starred restaurants.

As for being included in the city guide, "We have always been regarded as a DC restaurant since most of our guests come from the metropolitan area."

What we're watching: Ever since Michelin launched in the District, chefs and diners have wondered if and when its coverage will cross the river to represent the greater Washington area — especially since The Inn, nearly two hours away, makes the cut.

Michelin spokespersons tell Axios that "no date or details for the 2025 selection for DC are available at this time," so stay tuned.

Not worth the stars: Why Virginia said no to Michelin

The first Michelin Red Guide for Washington is seen at the residence of the French ambassador during its launch in Washington, DC, on October 13, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

The very first D.C. Michelin guide. Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP  via Getty Images

Virginia is noticeably absent from the forthcoming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southern restaurant guide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/02/michelin-guide-expands-south-carolinas-louisiana-tennessee-mississippi-alabama" data-vars-content-id="eb5c6157-f629-47dc-8848-a6ab450c3420" data-vars-headline="Not worth the stars: Why Virginia said no to Michelin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/02/michelin-guide-expands-south-carolinas-louisiana-tennessee-mississippi-alabama" target="_self">Southern restaurant guide</a> that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/12/10/michelin-guide-dc-stars-bib-gourmand-2024" data-vars-content-id="eb5c6157-f629-47dc-8848-a6ab450c3420" data-vars-headline="Not worth the stars: Why Virginia said no to Michelin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/12/10/michelin-guide-dc-stars-bib-gourmand-2024" target="_self">Michelin</a> announced earlier this month.Why it matters: The state tourism office declined to participate in the pay-to-play guide — a whopping $360,000 to be included, reports <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Richmond&#x27;s Karri Peifer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/08/virginia-declines-michelin-guide-deal" data-vars-content-id="eb5c6157-f629-47dc-8848-a6ab450c3420" data-vars-headline="Not worth the stars: Why Virginia said no to Michelin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/04/08/virginia-declines-michelin-guide-deal" target="_self">Axios Richmond&#x27;s Karri Peifer</a>.

Karri Peifer

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