Kaine urges care on immigration
At NAACP, he says demagoguery would risk progress in state

Saturday, Oct 27, 2007 - 12:08 AM

By PAMELA STALLSMITH
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine warned yesterday that Virginia needs to avoid succumbing to demagoguery in the immigration debate or risk losing foreign-based companies that want to do business here.

"If we have global connections as a commonwealth, it's going to help us succeed," Kaine said, speaking to a membership luncheon of more than 150 people at the 72nd annual state convention of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP. "But we can't be as successful as we need to be if we ever send out a message that people from different parts of the world aren't welcome here or that we don't want them."

Illegal immigration has emerged as a key issue in this fall's legislative elections, particularly in Northern Virginia, where Prince William County has drawn national attention for its efforts to crack down on undocumented foreigners -- largely Latinos who work in construction.

Republicans, who are trying to retain their majority in the General Assembly, have tried to portray Kaine as weak on illegal immigration. But the governor has countered that the state is doing more because the federal government has abandoned its responsibility.

Foreign companies won't locate to Virginia if they sense an anti-immigrant feeling, he said.

"No matter how good an incentive package is, if people don't feel like they're going to be welcome, that will back them off," Kaine said.

Immigration is a "hugely important issue," Kaine said told reporters after his talk at the Sheraton Richmond West hotel.

"National security concerns make it important," he said. "But we have to be very careful about demagoguery or having the debate in a way that suggests we're not open to the best talent in the world because if we do, we'll end up hurting ourselves."

In addressing the civil-rights group, Kaine -- a former civil-rights lawyer -- said he's concerned that the immigration debate goes beyond issues such as national security.

"It can sound like the beating up of people because their skin is a little different or their accent is a little different or they have a different kind of name or maybe have a different kind of religion," he said.

In his wide-ranging talk, Kaine also said he hopes the 2008 General Assembly tightens the payday-lending industry, which offers high-interest, short-term loans to borrowers.

Virginia "made a big mistake," Kaine said, when in 2002 it allowed payday lenders to charge more than 36 percent, the state's annual interest cap on small loans.

Interest rates on payday loans can spiral into the three digits. Payday lenders have said a cap would drive them out of business.

Kaine said "there will be a strong push" this winter either to cap interest rates at 36 percent or possibly prohibit lenders from making loans to people with an outstanding loan.

In addressing the NAACP, Kaine mentioned that 50 years ago, a governor would have rejected an invitation to speak to the group, which led the fight against segregation in a racially divided Virginia.

"We now have a commonwealth that now more than ever allows the talents of all to be around the table," he said. "And when you do that, obviously you're going to be more successful."

The convention continues tomorrow at the Sheraton.

Dick Gregory, the award-winning activist, author, comedian and humanitarian, will serve as keynote speaker tomorrow night at the Freedom Fund Banquet.

Julian Bond, chairman of the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, will speak at the Leadership Luncheon tomorrow at noon.
Contact Pamela Stallsmith at (804) 649-6746

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