Bill barring illegals from college expected to pass

RICHMOND — The House today is expected to pass a bill that would prohibit Virginia’s state-sponsored colleges and universities from enrolling illegal aliens.

The bill, authored by John S. Reid, Henrico Republican, moved forward yesterday during its second reading by a voice vote along party lines. The bill is expected to pass because of the Republican majority.

There are 61 Republicans, 37 Democrats and 2 independents in the House. The bill will be sent to the Senate Education and Health Committee after Feb. 17, the day known as Crossover, when the House and Senate exchange bills. The bills that pass are sent to the governor.

Democrats opposed the bill, deeming it unfair.

“If this bill passes it will provide that public institutions of higher education may not knowingly accept or enroll any illegal alien and it directs each upon discovering the enrollment of an illegal alien to dismiss that person,” Mr. Reid said during the debate yesterday.

“Individuals who are in this country legally should have the opportunity to attend our state colleges and universities and should not be displaced by those who are here illegally,” he said.

The bill also would require public colleges and universities to expel any illegal aliens who are enrolled mistakenly.

State Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore, a Republican, supports the bill, but Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, opposes it.

Delegate Marian Van Landingham, Alexandria Democrat, also opposed the bill yesterday.

“A child who was brought here by their parents without having anything to do with it, went through our school system, does a really good job, gets good grades and good SAT scores should be able to get in a good college and university in Virginia,” she said. “Now that child would not be able to go to our schools in Virginia.”

Miss Van Landingham also said the bill would handicap the state’s economy and society.

During the debate, Delegate Brian J. Moran, Alexandria Democrat, asked Mr. Reid how the bill, if passed, would be enforced and about the penalties involved.

Mr. Reid said he couldn’t answer the questions but that he had hoped no one would violate the law intentionally.

At a House Education Committee meeting on Monday, Delegate Adam P. Ebbin, Arlington Democrat, had argued that the state is better served if it has educated immigrants working in good jobs.

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