Va. legislature to target illegals

January 11, 2008

By Seth McLaughlin - RICHMOND — More than 100 bills proposing reforms in the way that the state handles illegal aliens have been introduced in the first two days of the General Assembly — ending any speculation on how important the issue is to Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

"Without question, it is a big issue," said House Speaker William J. Howell, Stafford Republican.

The bills range from the denial of bail for violent criminal illegal aliens to directing the Virginia State Police to create a special unit of at least 100 trained officers tasked with investigating and enforcing immigration violations.

"It is evidence of the fact, in the last year, the issue has become of heightened interest in the public consciousness; there is no question about that," said Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, lobbyist for a coalition of Hispanic organizations that represents the interests of immigrants.

"There are already twice as many bills, and we are not done by a long shot," she said, adding that by her count 53 bills regarding illegal aliens were filed last session.