Illegal immigration a top priority in my run for attorney general
Published: October 2, 2009
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is blazing a new trail to secure our borders from illegal immigration.
Over the last several years, DHS has carved a path that will ultimately lead it to spend tens of billions of dollars on the effort. It will spend more money on: border agents, fences, equipment, weapons, vehicles and the very latest in virtual fencing and surveillance devices. These new investments are both necessary and appropriate to enforce America’s border security.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has a duty to support this DHS investment — after all, a portion of the money comes from the tax dollars sent to Washington, D.C., by residents of the commonwealth. But even more so, the commonwealth must find ways to assist the DHS effort to crack down on illegal immigration.
On important issues like this, it is crucial that federal and state governments work in tandem with each other to defend the law. Besides, prudence and fiscal sensibility require it.
If elected attorney general for the commonwealth, I will work to ensure that Virginia assists the federal government and makes a good effort to enforce our immigration laws. I will make it a priority for local authorities to report and transfer to the federal authorities any persons the locals come across who are in this country illegally.
The commonwealth and its local jurisdictions frequently come across those who have broken federal law by crossing our border. Whether these illegal aliens are discovered through criminal arrest, through enforcement of workplace codes and regulations, or through reports of people soliciting services they do not have a right to claim, it is beyond debate that these people do not have the right to be in this country. Further, because of our national security concerns, health concerns and our increasing economic troubles, we can no longer afford to simply ignore those aliens illegally in our midst.
The problem of illegal immigration is intertwined with the Obama administration’s plans to overhaul our health care system. The Obama administration has as its priority expanding health coverage to all those residing in America.
To pay for this expansion of health care coverage to those currently uninsured, the federal government is likely to be forced to impose higher taxes on many Americans. Since a large portion of the uninsured population is actually made up of illegal immigrants, it is vitally important that state and local leaders act in a fiscally responsible manner so as to minimize the amount of money we pay out to these people who do not deserve it.
The problem of uninsured illegal aliens should be the responsibility of their home countries and not our own. As attorney general, I will do my best to reverse the longstanding acceptance so many of our public officials have had for rampant violation of our nation’s immigration laws.
America has traditionally been the land of liberty and opportunity for both the native born and the immigrant alike. This nation welcomed my own grandparents, who came with almost nothing from Ireland and Italy.
However, our nation has also had a tradition of great respect for the rule of law. But recently, at least when it comes to our immigration laws, some officials in the federal, state and local governments have chosen to disregard that tradition. This cannot continue.
As attorney general, I will return to those traditions by respecting our immigration laws and assisting the DHS in defending them.
Cuccinelli is the Republican candidate for Virginia attorney general.
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Reader Reactions
We have been doing our part my entire 24 1/2 years in law enforcement. Prior to DHS we would notify INS. We were constantly turned down and released illegal aliens.
ICE can’t handle what they have now. Yes border security is much better. We are taking criminal illegal aliens we come in contact with off the streets when we arrest them when they violate state and local criminal laws. ICE still will only take violent criminals, not the minor crimes.
Yes El Debbie ICE refuses to talk with the public. They did it here in Culpeper. They don’t want to face the public. It was all because of the public meeting in PWC that they realized that they would not speak in public in our town. ICE has violated their MOU with numerous agencies across the country. They don’t oversee the program like they are supposed to. Local police are not only operating out of the scope of the MOU but are violating the civil rights of citizens as well. The way I see it, nobody is policing the police.
Cuccinelli is overstepping his authority. The AG as stated by Brian is a state elected position. I don’t believe it one bit that he has any pull at the federal level. I do see him writing checks his body can’t cash.
I too wonder how he plans to pay for it. He has the right idea but needs to show the voters both a plan, what it will cost the taxpayers and how it will be funded. We lack the space, personnel and funding locally to do it on our own.
ICE lacks both personnel and bed space to take anyone other than violent criminals. Getting them off the streets and deported is a top priority. The day laborers won’t be taken. My good friend with ICE in DC advised me that the people can be assured of it. We will continue to release non-violent offenders unless they are wanted by ICE. Until the federal governnment steps up to the plate you can expect this to stay the same.
No way Sandalwood hires people who can’t speak English! When he found out we had an immigration problem he threw out all of his salsa and stopped going to Taco Bell.
Cuccinelli is making the proper noise, but he isn’t telling me how he is going to pay for it. The Feds don’t follow their own rules, they don’t like to come out in timely manner and pick up ypur illegal and they won’t take them if they are charged with a crime. You gotta pay to jail’em first. ICE also doens’t like for many peole to know how they operate (I assume that is cuz you might hold them to what they said they would do). Way too many details are missing.
Okay I got this at work today I think that it is funny most of you will agree and some will say well not funny….(who cares what you think)...
Sneak into North Korea get 12 years hard labor.
Sneak into Iran go to prison indefinately.
Sneak into USA and we give you a SSN, Job, Medical benefits, homes to live in, and so on.
Why can’t we just execute them as they come across….I will volunteer for this…..:>>>
What is the problem here? Am I missing something?
Being civil is not an issue rogersk. Accepting the true facts is an issue. I respect the posting of everyone, however I will assure you that I will make sure that I bring facts to the table. I will never bring anything else but the facts.
Your opinion as well as those of others are valued by me. You can’t deny that ignorance does not exist when it comes to illegal immigration. Whether or not you agree with me is your choice. I will leave that up to you. I am not asking for you or anyone to agree with me.
At the same time I won’t sit back and remain silent when bigotry is used as a way to deal with this serious issue. Yes bigotry, xenophobia and racism do exist. I have attended many anti-illegal immigration gatherings across this country. I have seen just how evil people can be. Do you want that in your community?
I am an attorney so that alone puts me on the opposite side of the fence. I can live with that. There are too many myths that people tend to believe when it comes to illegal immigration. I find that online posting tends to bring out the worst in people that are nothing but hateful. We don’t need this. Wouldn’t you agree rogersk?
I will say this rogersk. You and I are enjoying freedom of speech. I truly hope that is never taken away from us.
Good for you, Sandalwood. 7-11 thought that was really cute. I think it’s just juvenile.
Sorry Hanging@7-11, I do not hire day labor and I never hire people who cannot speak English.
Well, I tell you what, Brian…You respect others opinions and I’ll do the same for you whether I agree or not and chances are, judging from past experience, I won’t. Just TRY to be civil. thank y.ou
The numbers are down rogersk. Apparently you don’t keep up with current events. Increased border patrol enforcement, decreased apprehensions, increased deportations. Believe what you wish but these all play a factor in the numbers provided. Are you saying that the federal government is lying to us?
Laws did not have to be enacted to bring these figures down. Increased enforcement and border security are the answer. Why continue to be ignorant?
stevo there is no doubt California has higher numbers of illegal aliens because they are a border state, however the estimate is for the entire nation. There are no complete figures. You make your assumption on California.
The rest of your statements are purely ridiculous.
Hola Meeester Sanjalwood. I knew I gould find jew here senor. Are jew going to hire me again dis weekend holmes? Jew always pay berry nice. Fitty dollors for twelb hours ob work in da hot sun is okay weet me. Muchas gracias esse.
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