Virginia Just Got Tougher On Illegal Aliens
By Greg L | 1 July 2008 | Illegal Aliens, Virginia Politics | 7 Comments

Today is the day when new laws passed by the General Assembly go into effect. Through the efforts of Attorney General Bob McDonnell, a broad coalition of Republicans and Democrats in the General Assembly, and immigration law enforcement advocates such as Help Save Hampton Roads, Help Save Manassas, Help Save Loudoun, Save Stafford, the Vienna Citizens Group and Help Protect Culpeper, Virginia has become a little more difficult for illegal aliens to evade the consequences of their unlawful behavior. Here are three of this year’s most significant legislative victories:

SB517: Prohibit Public Contractors from Knowingly Employing Unauthorized Aliens
Patron: Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax)

Requires that all public bodies provide in every written contract that the contractor does not, and shall not during the performance of the contract for goods and services in the Commonwealth, knowingly employ an unauthorized alien.

HB440: Establish a Presumption Against Bail for Illegal Aliens Who Commit Crimes
Patron: Delegate Tom Rust (R-Herndon)

Adds a presumption of no bail for any person who is charged with certain crimes who is not lawfully present in the United States.

HB820: Cross-Check Info on Inmates Arrested and Currently in DOC and Jails Against LESC Illegal Alien Database
Patron: Delegate Dave Albo (R-Fairfax), Co-Patron Delegate Tom Rust (R-Herndon)

Requires an officer in charge of a jail or correctional facility to inquire of a person in his custody as to whether the person was born in or is a citizen of the United States, and make an immigration alien query with ICE, for certain individuals. The jail officer shall communicate the results of this immigration alien query to the Local Inmate Data System of the State Compensation Board. Any query confirming that a person is illegally present in the United States shall be reported monthly to the Central Criminal Records Exchange.

There’s a lot more that needs to be done, but this is a pretty good start. Next session, the member organizations of Save The Old Dominion will continue to push for effective action on the part of the Commonwealth to combat the unlawful presence of illegal aliens. If you’d like to help make the difference between success and failure during the next legislative session, don’t wait until next January to get involved.
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