OPINION:
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,” he began, promisingly. “It is our obligation to enforce those laws, and we should continually assess the consequences of illegal immigration.”
Then Mr. Kaine changed the subject. “It is equally important to recognize the many positive benefits of legal immigration” — as if the welcome mat for lawful immigrants who abide by established procedure were somehow being questioned. “We cannot afford to let supercharged political rhetoric unfairly paint a picture of Virginians as a people who are hostile to New Americans,” he said. This last item, directed toward those who advocate tougher policies, presages a political fight.
The rest of Mr. Kaine’s immigration remarks suggest that people should be happy with what is already achieved. He cited the state’s prohibition on public benefits for illegals (failing to mention that these laws are routinely flouted) and Virginia state troopers’ reports to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (which are of uncertain value given the state of disarray at ICE). The governor also mentioned participation in regional anti-gang task forces; driver’s-license application scrutiny (again, with a failure to note enforcement problems); and the Virginia National Guard’s contribution to border patrols in Arizona.
Mr. Kaine then dipped right back into his somewhat specious grab-bag to discuss “a few important realities” to consider amid this year’s immigration proposals — none of which have bearing on the subject of illegal aliens.
“One in ten Virginians was born outside of the United States, and most of us can trace our ancestors back to another country in only a few generations,” Mr. Kaine said. “The majority of immigrants today are legal and fully contribute, strengthening the social fabric of our communities.” This is followed by lines about the Jamestown commemoration’s immigration significance and data on the importance of Virginia’s $750 million in foreign investment last year.
Quite a dodge, governor. Mr. Kaine himself exhorts listeners that “[W]e have a responsibility to go beyond sound bites, to take the debate seriously, and to spend the time it will take to craft a balanced response to our challenges.” This from a man who cites the Jamestown anniversary and completely irrelevant foreign-investment figures to lawmakers who are eager to address penalties for criminal illegal aliens, public benefits and other subjects of pressing concern for Virginians.That approach, we’re sorry to say, is a cardinal example of “sound bites.”
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