Thread: VA: Bill On Citizenship Inquiries Advance

Bill on citizenship inquiries advances | Richmond Times-Dispatch

Bill on citizenship inquiries advance


By: Wesley P. Hester | Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: February 11, 2012 Updated: February 11, 2012 - 12:00 AM
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Legislation to require citizenship inquiries of everyone arrested in Virginia is on its way to the House of Delegates, where it is expected to pass easily.
The House Courts of Justice Committee on Friday advanced two similar bills aimed at identifying illegal immigrants accused of committing crimes.
House Bill 1060, the broader of the two, would instruct law-enforcement officers to make citizenship inquiries of everyone arrested for any offense.
It also requires officers finding "probable cause" to believe that the person is not legally present in the U.S. to inform the judicial officer who would decide whether to grant bail.

Sponsored by Del. Richard L. Anderson, R-Prince William, the bill is based on existing law in Prince William County, which Anderson says has led to a stop in violent crimes and 4,300 criminal illegal immigrants being handed over to federal authorities. "It applies equally to everyone," Anderson said of his bill, anticipating the testimony of its opponents, who claim it will lead to racial profiling.
Several did attack the bill, including law-enforcement officials, before it sailed out on a largely party-line vote of 14-3. Dana G. Schrad, executive director for the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, objected to the bill as an "unfunded mandate on local law enforcement."
Kevin Carroll, president of the Chesterfield Fraternal Order of Police, also raised issues with the bill's mechanics, saying that it needed to be clearer on when and how the inquiry was to take place. "As a cop, this is going to be a problem. And we're the ones that have to do it," he said.
On a 15-2 vote, House Bill 958, sponsored by Del. Robert B. Bell, R-Albemarle, also advanced from committee. It would require jail officers to make the same citizenship check regardless of whether the person is put behind bars.

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Take Action in Virgina to support laws that stop illegal immigration in our states!

ALIPAC NOTE: All ALIPAC supporters that read our homepage and boards, please get on the phones to lawmakers in VA to support House Bill 1060!