October 16, 2007
Government panel weighs in on illegal immigration

What should Virginia do to address illegal immigration? A government panel made some recommendations today. The public, representing both sides of the issue, got to weigh in on the Illegal Immigration Task Force's ideas.

The ideas include creating a local inmate data system that would keep track of the immigration status of non-U.S. criminals. One of the other ideas encourages police to learn the languages of the immigrant communities they serve. And another idea directs law enforcement to educate immigrants on relevant local laws, regulations and safety issues.

Altogether the task force considered thirty-two recommendations. The ideas got a mixed reception. Some fear allowing local police to enforce federal immigration laws could prove deadly to some immigrants. "Every time an immigrant woman is afraid to call the police she puts herself at risk of another beating, another rape, or even her death," says Jeanne Smoot with the Tahirih Justice Center.

"It isn't just that crimes have increased for immigrants, but also the nature of the crimes... they're increasing in cruelty," says Christina Rebeil with the Virginia Poverty Law Center. "Where we saw robberies before, we're seeing robberies and murders."

Others worry about U.S. citizens who've been victimized by criminals in the country illegally. The task force dealt with criminal issues as they relate to illegal immigrants.

Today's recommendations will end up as bills the legislature will consider this winter.

http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=7223073