Richmond aflutter on illegal aliens

In the first two days of the Virginia General Assembly session, more than 100 bills pertaining to illegal aliens were introduced. They were filed by Democrats and Republicans alike beginning five days ago, addressing everything from employee document verification to bail for violent criminal illegal aliens.

As a group, these bills are unprecedented in number and scope. They signal that Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, must take the issue seriously. Virginians want the governor and lawmakers to address the burdens on social services created by illegal aliens, to guard against criminal aliens and to tackle related subjects. In last fall’s elections, illegal immigration figured importantly. Virginians are better equipped than ever to identify empty rhetoric when they hear it. Better attention toward the rapid community change which the illegal influx yields is warranted from the governor and his allies. Mr. Kaine pays lip service to these problems, but has given few signs that he plans to act.

The discomfort with which the governor approaches this issue was palpable in his State of the Commonwealth address to the Joint Assembly in Richmond on Wednesday. “We are a nation of laws,â€