Thread: Bill Says Va. Government Services Must Be Provided Only...

Bill Says Va. Government Services Must Be Provided Only In English
Legislation Under Consideration In Va. General Assembly

POSTED: 5:44 pm EST December 17, 2007
UPDATED: 9:10 pm EST December 17, 2007


ARLINGTON COUNTY, Va. -- Services provided in foreign languages to non-English-speaking Virginia residents could be made illegal under legislation proposed in the Virginia General Assembly by Woodbridge Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, News4's Jane Watrel reported.

House Bill 55 would reiterate that English is the official language of Virginia and that no state agency or local government shall provide documents, information, literature or other written material in any language other than English.

The bill makes exceptions for foreign language instruction, court and police documents and health care services.

The bill has the backing of anti-illegal immigration groups like Help Save Manassas, whose members said it will help immigrants learn English and American culture more quickly.

"Once you can actively participate in the culture using their language, everything opens up to you," said member Greg Letiecq. "You're no longer from the outside looking in. You're an active participant. You understand what's going on. You can relate to the people. You can understand what the issues are."

But incoming Arlington County Board Chairman Walter Tejada, who was born in El Salvador, called the bill a Republican ploy.

"We all know this is an English-speaking country. All the immigrants want to learn English. Everyone knows it's the key to success in this country. So why waste time putting up proposals that aren't going to anywhere and are just going to be more divisive and cause an anti-immigrant sentiment?" Tejada said.

Arlington County's official government Web site includes both English and Spanish.

"We are absolutely proud of the information we provide to our immigrant residents, and our Web site in Spanish is one of them," Tejada said.

Some Arlington residents interviewed said promoting English has its merits, but there needs to be balance in a community where one out of five residents speaks Spanish.

Last year there were dozens of bills in the Virginia General Assembly dealing with immigration reform, but only one passed: a measure to form a committee to study the issue.

Meanwhile, a new grassroots organization in Virginia is dedicated to keeping illegal immigrants out.

"Save The Old Dominion" includes seven grassroots organizations: Help Save Loudoun, Help Save Manassas, Save Stafford, the Vienna Citizen's Group, the Centreville Citizen's Coalition, Help Save Hampton Roads and Help Protect Culpeper.

The group will advocate for reforms to the state's immigration policies. Leaders said it's time for citizen engagement in immigration issues to take hold at the state level.

http://www.nbc4.com/news/14875622/detail.html

"We all know this is an English-speaking country. All the immigrants want to learn English. Everyone knows it's the key to success in this country. So why waste time putting up proposals that aren't going to anywhere and are just going to be more divisive and cause an anti-immigrant sentiment?" Tejada said.

Tejada needs to inform La Raza and other such organizations.

It prevents stupid and frivilious lawsuits.

No government can help the destinies of people who insist in putting sectional and class consciousness ahead of general weal.
Franklin D. Roosevelt [/quote]