Thread: Illegal immigrants would face limits under Chesapeake plan

Illegal immigrants would face limits under Chesapeake plan
By MIKE SAEWITZ, The Virginian-Pilot
© October 7, 2007



CHESAPEAKE

Mayor Dalton Edge wants the City Council to discuss an ordinance requiring city contractors and vendors to certify that they don't hire illegal immigrants.

City officials also plan to push the state to give local governments the authority to limit services to illegal immigrants, and to deny licenses and privileges to those who are in the country illegally.

The city appears to be joining other Virginia localities that are trying to get a firmer hold on immigration, which largely has been regulated by federal law. Chesapeake City Attorney Ron Hallman said he has studied immigration ordinances and reports from Chesterfield and Loudoun counties.

"We're using that rather than spin a lot of wheels on our own," Hallman said.

The city's move comes just as a state task force is recommending tougher immigration measures, including building a 1,000-bed jail for violators.

Del. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, said Friday that state and local governments need to deal with immigration because the federal government isn't meeting its obligation.

"Citizens in general are really tired of people flaunting our laws and getting away with it," Cosgrove said.

Edge said he senses that frustration. He has kept a file on immigration laws since March, when an illegal immigrant named Alfredo Ramos was charged with causing a crash in Virginia Beach that killed two teenage girls. Edge said he was deeply affected by the tragedy, and he asked the city attorney to prepare a report on how Chesapeake police handle questions about someone's immigration status.


Also in Edge's file are newspaper articles about efforts by Prince William and Loudoun counties to limit illegal immigrants' access to government services.

Chesapeake appears to be the only locality in South Hampton Roads to actively pursue a rule dealing with contractors and vendors, Hallman said.

Edge's proposal - to be presented to the council Tuesday - would require anyone who wants a contract with the city to provide sworn certification of compliance with federal and state immigration laws. The proposal also would allow the city to inspect records and documents to ensure that all of the contractor's employees are eligible to work in the United States.

"This is just a first step," Edge said. "I want to hear what others have to say. It's just a problem we need to address. Immigration is on a lot of people's minds."

Immigration will be an important topic as Chesapeake shapes its 2008 legislative package. The first draft asks the General Assembly to enact laws that would give the city greater authority to limit services to people who come here illegally.

The draft also points to the potential downside of drawing up stricter rules.

"Localities adopting ordinances to regulate services to illegal immigrants face the threat of protracted and expensive litigation," the document reads.

Cosgrove said he expects the General Assembly to make it easier for cities to take action on immigration regulations.

"The state is going to take a really aggressive stance on immigration," Cosgrove said. "That's just going to happen without a doubt. The people are saying, 'This immigration problem has got to be brought under control.' "

http://content.hamptonroads.com

"The state is going to take a really aggressive stance on immigration," Cosgrove said. "That's just going to happen without a doubt. The people are saying, 'This immigration problem has got to be brought under control.' "

The crisis of illegal immigration certainly does have to be brought under control, and NOT by legalizing them but rather by cutting off the benefits and enforcing the laws.

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Call the Senate: NO AgJOBS Amnesty !