Thread: Feds denied Va. request on 287g immigration powers

Feds denied Va. request on immigration powers

By Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
June 27, 2012
RICHMOND

Federal officials have denied Virginia's request for immigration enforcement powers, a fact Gov. Bob McDonnell disclosed a day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down parts of an Arizona law drawn to crack down on illegal immigrants.

McDonnell was still in the first year of his term when, in August 2010, he asked the Department of Homeland Security for a 287(g) agreement, named for a section of federal law that lets state and local police departments perform some immigration functions.

He sought federal approval and training for Virginia State Police to handle enforcement duties for immigrants "accused of committing serious crimes: murder and rape and drug trafficking and gang violence."

McDonnell called that a "very small delegation" of authority to the state.

But he didn't hear back on his request for nearly 20 months.

And when he did this past February, the news wasn't what McDonnell had hoped for.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement denial letter explained that the agency would no longer consider 287(g) agreements with states and localities and instead focus on other ICE programs.

"I'm incredibly disappointed with the Obama administration," McDonnell said Tuesday, adding that he thinks political considerations influenced the Virginia decision.

In an election year, President Barack Obama recently announced a policy to spare some young undocumented residents from deportation.

And his administration fought Arizona's law.

In a ruling Monday, the nation's high court left intact a controversial piece of that law requiring police to check the immigration status of those they stop for other reasons if they suspect the person is illegally present in the country.

That provision could face further legal challenge.

Julian Walker, 804-697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com

Feds denied Va. request on immigration powers | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

This administration proves its self daily to be the most U.N.American bunch to ever breathe American air.

No administration has enforced most of our immigration laws but Obama's by far beats them all....the examples just keep piling up, not only not enforcing our laws but keeps putting roadblocks up to anyone who tries!

Barrack Obama and his henchmen like Janet Napolitano are clearly on the side of illegal alien invaders against the interests, jobs, and very lives of American citizens!

W