Virginia eyes plan to deport illegals

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RICHMOND — Virginia lawmakers yesterday proposed a mandate for state sheriffs and jail wardens to initiate deportation proceedings for illegal aliens.

The proposal was one of several made by a State Crime Commission task force trying to crack down on illegal immigration.

Right now, police and jail officials must wait for federal immigration agents to decide whether to take custody of a suspect.

Task force members also recommended that Virginia adopt a uniform, statewide policy on dealing with illegal aliens but said they need a better understanding of federal law, costs and immigration statistics before making a final decision.

"What the General Assembly needs to understand is what is pre-empted [by federal law] and what is not pre-empted, what law enforcement can do and what law enforcement cannot do," said state Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, commission co-chairman. "Instead of acting in the dark, we want to shed some light on the issue."

Mr. Stolle, Virginia Beach Republican, said immigration policies throughout the state are inconsistent and create enforcement problems.

"A patchwork approach to resolving the problem is not in the commonwealth's best interest," he said. "It does very little good for Virginia Beach to have one policy and for Norfolk to have a completely different policy."

The task force is scheduled to meet again Aug. 28, and the proposals also will need approval from the full General Assembly before becoming law.

Several sheriffs departments in Virginia already participate in a voluntary federal program that trains deputies to recognize illegal aliens and begin the deportation process. However, the new proposal would make the program mandatory for every Virginia jail.

This was the task force's second meeting, which took place two weeks after Prince William County supervisors unanimously passed a resolution aimed at denying public services to illegal aliens and toughening local immigration enforcement. Loudoun County supervisors passed a similar resolution last week.