Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and four members of the House of Delegates from Prince William County have teamed up to write legislation for the Commonwealth of Virginia, within the confines of federal law, regarding illegal immigration.
Cuccinelli, along with Delegates Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), Bob Marshall (R-13), Jackson Miller (R-50), and Rich Anderson (R-51) are developing “legislative initiatives to forward Virginia’s role in welcoming legal immigrants as well as its role in devising appropriate state-level responses to illegal immigration.”
The team first met Thursday and is expected to gather several more times before the beginning of session to hammer out a comprehensive policy.
“Thursday’s meeting between Prince William legislators and Attorney General Cuccinelli was a major step in fulfilling our legislative responsibilities for facilitating and welcoming legal immigrants to our country, while also developing policies that protect our citizens, commonwealth, and country from the threats posed by federal inaction on matters of illegal immigration,” said Del. Anderson.
Two weeks ago, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell petitioned Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enter into what is known as a 287(g) partnership with the Virginia State Police. The agreement permits state law enforcement to legally enforce immigration law, and is a move the governor requested the previous administration make when he was then attorney general.
Prince William, which has long been a hot-bed for the illegal immigration discussion, is led by County Supervisor Corey Stewart. Of the governor’s request, Stewart said:
When ICE grants Virginia the 287(g) authority, it will be a force multiplier for Prince William County’s own effort. A unified Commonwealth-wide effort will result in better coordination with ICE. When Prince William County adopted strict enforcement policies and our Rule of Law resolution, it drove criminal illegal aliens to other counties. A Virginia-wide policy will send a strong message.
Ultimately, to address illegal immigration in Virginia, we’re going to have to adopt an Arizona-like statute. The 287(g) authority is a key component, but you need a policy that directs law enforcement to make checks, prohibits localities from adopting sanctuary policies, and provides officers all the tools they need to fight illegal immigration.
Virginia is apparently following the Stewart playbook of first entering into the 287(g) agreement, with the General Assembly then writing immigration legislation in the mode of Arizona.
Also of note, there is no one from the State Senate helping to work on the legislation.
