Does contacting your lawmaker actually help? I asked Virginia’s senior US senator

As immigration raids, ICE accountability, and federal power dominate headlines, Sen. Mark Warner reveals what really happens when Virginians contact his office—and how public opinion can help shape policy.

A question that’s been on my mind lately is how to help support good people who’re being negatively impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I’ve seen the protests, and I’ve read the commentary on what to do if you’re in an area of a raid—but another thing I’ve heard is to contact your representative.

In fact, I hear that from time to time, whether it’s over a question, concern, or idea for change. Contact your representative. But I’ve lived in Virginia for three decades—and I’ve never once reached out to an elected official’s office to advocate for anything. 

Where would my letter—or call, text, or email—go? Who would read it and hear my opinions? What are the chances that my idea would spark action? I wasn’t sure, so I went to the source. I asked US Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat running for reelection this fall, during a recent media call.  

Prompting action

I’ll never forget producing media coverage about the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act (JCLSA), signed into law on October 11, 2022. In the months leading up to the passage of the bill Warner introduced, the senator often told the story—not only of why the legislation, which would split up the cost of a couple’s previously combined student loans in situations like divorce or abuse, was important, but also of Sara, a mother of two from McLean who struggled to pay her ex-husband’s share of their joint student loan. 

In Sara’s case, she’d moved thousands of miles away from her ex to start life anew—but when he stopped paying his portion of the loan, that put the single mother on a public school teacher’s salary at risk of wage garnishments.

Sara wrote to Warner about not being able to separate the loan—and according to a press release about the legislation that sprouted from that communication, the senator’s office wrote: “Sen. Warner did not think this was fair and sought to create a solution, so that constituents like Sara could control their own financial futures.”

Now, thanks to Sara writing to the senator to express her issue and desire for change, the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act is the law of the land.

Expressing concerns

The senator noted that there’s been a recent uptick in the amount of correspondence his team has received. Much of that is because of concerns over immigration enforcement, blatant abuses of power by ICE and Border Patrol, and the horrific killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minnesota.

“We’ve had almost a record number of calls this week being very concerned about the ICE activities in Minneapolis,” Warner said. “And they’re valid concerns that what happens in Minneapolis could happen next in Richmond, Norfolk, or Roanoke.”

Warner described ICE as an agency “run amok” and in need of “guardrails.”

Cue a proposed ICE processing facility in Ashland.

On Jan. 28 at the Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting, officials opposed plans for the Department of Homeland Security to acquire 43 acres of land, complete with a 500,000+ square foot warehouse, on Lakeridge Parkway. The board made it clear that Hanover County had no role in the DHS’s selection process, which the federal agency made local leaders aware of on Jan. 22.

According to a larger statement from the board: “The site is located within the Lewistown Commerce Center Community Development Authority, a well-planned area intended for commercial and industrial use. While federal operations are exempt from local zoning regulations, Hanover County has concerns about whether this location is appropriate given its proximity to retail businesses, hotels, restaurants and several residential neighborhoods, including a historic district. The site is also adjacent to county-owned land intended for future public use.”

About Hanover County—a generally conservative area—denouncing the idea of an ICE facility in their locale, Warner said if it was the will of the community, he wanted to try to work with them.

“The ICE abuses have now gotten people’s attention in a darn dramatic way; and then, it’s my job to respond,” Warner said.

Getting in touch

Not all questions or concerns that appear in Warner’s inbox, mailbox, or voicemail center around current events. Sometimes, people write to acknowledge a kind deed a Virginian performed, and other times, they inquire about federal policies or proposed laws that could impact their community.

On Jan. 26, Warner posted on Facebook: “Virginians: Your voice matters to me. We’re understandably hearing from a lot of folks right now. My team is doing its best to answer every call, but if you don’t want to wait on hold, you can always send a message through my website—every single one gets read.”

So as for writing, calling, texting, or emailing the senator? 

“It is important,” Warner said. “It’s important to hear from Virginians.”

Click here to access a multitude of ways to contact Warner, and here to contact US Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). Never contacted your representative before? Americans of Conscience Checklist provides five tips for making stress-free calls. 

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