Virginia’s illegal aliens — working mostly in the state’s construction, farming and hospitality industries — will get the spotlight as the legislative session unfolds, with lawmakers planning to take a closer look at the issue of immigration.
President Bush last week called for an overhaul of the U.S. immigration system to grant legal status to millions of undocumented workers, and lawmakers in Virginia and Maryland are weighing in.
The federal government estimated the illegal alien population in Virginia was about 103,000 as of January 2000. Immigration advocates estimate that figure is closer to 200,000 today. In 1996, the federal government estimated there were about 55,000 illegals in Virginia.
The Urban Estimate says there are about 115,000 to 130,000 undocumented workers in Virginia.
The Federation for American Immigration Reform said on its Web site the increase in illegal immigrants in Virginia is greater than the national average.
The Census Bureau estimates that more than 130,000 immigrants came to Maryland between 1990 and 1999. During that period, the state ranked 10th in immigration, behind California, New York and Illinois.
The bureau also estimates that there are nearly 700,000 legal and illegal aliens residing in the state — an increase of almost 160,000 since the 2000 Census.
These immigrants are taking jobs many U.S. citizens don’t seek out, such as unappealing and sometimes dangerous construction, restaurant and factory work. Advocates for immigrant rights say these workers contribute greatly to the state’s economy.
Mr. Bush said if his plan is embraced, these workers will be protected by labor laws and will be paid fairly.
Many Mexican immigrants, both legal and illegal, have flocked to Virginia’s agriculture industry and chicken farms, said Andres Tobar, co-chair of the Immigrant Educational Rights Coalition. Also, many coming to Virginia are from El Salvador and Bolivia.
“There’s a major influx,” Mr. Tobar told The Washington Times.
During the General Assembly session that starts tomorrow, Virginia Delegate Adam Ebbin, Alexandria Democrat, will propose a law to allow illegal alien children who graduate from Virginia high schools to get in-state tuition.
Mr. Ebbin, who was elected to replace retiring Democrat Karen Darner in November, is following in her footsteps with this law. Miss Darner proposed a similar law last year, which was defeated in the General Assembly. An opposing law later was vetoed by Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, who said students who graduated from Virginia schools deserve a chance at the “American Dream” with fair college tuition.
After the veto, Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore, a Republican, said state law requires schools to charge illegals higher tuition. Mr. Kilgore also issued an opinion recommending all Virginia colleges deny admission to illegal immigrants. In September, a group of Hispanic illegal immigrants sued seven state colleges, claiming that the schools denied them admission because of their immigration status.
Mr. Tobar said Mr. Ebbin’s proposed law would benefit Virginia in the long run.
“We would be educating bright kids to assume leadership positions in the future,” said Mr. Tobar, who ran and lost in the primary for Mr. Ebbin’s seat.
Though most Virginia lawmakers still take a conservative view on illegal immigrants, some are cheering Mr. Bush’s plan as a smart move.
“He’s taking a step that’s probably necessary given realities that confront the United States,” said state Delegate Vincent F. Callahan Jr., Fairfax County Republican. “Something has to be done.”
Mr. Callahan said he did not view Mr. Bush’s plan as either liberal or conservative, but as pragmatic. Most of the immigrants affected by the plan are coming from Mexico, and “that’s not where the terrorists are coming from,” Mr. Callahan said.
• Contact Christina Bellantoni at cbellantoni@WashingtonTimes.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.