• Lexington
  • Rockbridge
  • Buena Vista
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Regional
  • In-Depth Reporting
  • About Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Rockbridge Report
Rockbridge Report
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
  • Lexington
  • Rockbridge
  • Buena Vista
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Regional
  • In-Depth Reporting
  • About Us
Thursday, September 21
Rockbridge Report
Home»National»State Senate measure would target sanctuary cities

State Senate measure would target sanctuary cities

February 7, 20173 Mins Read

RICHMOND (AP) — Under a measure the state Senate approved Monday, Virginia communities that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities could be sued over crimes committed by people living in the country illegally.

The bill designed to crack down on sanctuary cities comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month to strip funding from such communities.

Conservative states across the country have considered a variety of anti-sanctuary city bills since the president’s order. Liberal states have instead moved to add protections for immigrants in the country illegally.

The bill from Republican Sen. Richard Black would make sanctuary cities liable for crimes committed within their locality. It advanced on a 21-19 party line vote.

The measure would help prevent the increasingly common national practice of localities disregarding federal immigration law, Black said during debate on the measure.

About 300 localities nationwide have sanctuary city-like policies, including Virginia’s Arlington and Chesterfield County, according to the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for lower immigration levels.

Black, who represents parts of Loudoun and Prince William counties, also said that the bill would help victims of crimes committed by people in the country illegally – who often have little recourse.

In a 2016 file photo, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe waves to the members of a joint session of the Virginia General Assembly. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

Gov. Terry McAuliffe is vowing to veto Republican-sponsored legislation designed to crack down on sanctuary cities.

McAuliffe’s spokesman, Brian Coy, said the Democratic governor would veto any bill that makes Virginia localities enforce federal immigration laws. Coy also said the governor views the bills as “attempts to divide and demonize people.”

Several Democrats who spoke against the bill said it would leave the wrong people financially accountable.

“It seems to me you’re asking the taxpayers to pick up something which is not really their responsibility,” Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw said.

Democrats also argued that the bill would be difficult to enforce because it defines a sanctuary city as one that acts intentionally to restrict the enforcement of immigration law.

“I don’t know how you would ever prove that,” said Sen. John Edwards, a Democrat from Roanoke.

The issue of sanctuary cities gained greater prominence after the 2015 killing of 32-year-old Kate Steinle, who was fatally shot  in San Francisco while she walked along a popular city pier. A man who had previously been deported, then released by local law enforcement, was charged in her death.

Trump repeatedly mentioned the killing of Steinle during his campaign as he called for a border wall and other measures to curb illegal immigration.

Last week, Mayor Mike Signer said he is considering making Charlottesville a sanctuary city and is looking into ways to add protections for immigrants and political refugees.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney issued a directive on Monday that says the city will promote policies of inclusion for all residents regardless of immigration status. Although it does not label Richmond as a sanctuary city, it does say police will not ask individuals for their place of birth or immigration status.

Black’s measure still needs approval from the House of Delegates, which debated a different sanctuary city-related bill Monday. This measure from Southwest Virginia Republican Del. Charles Poindexter would prohibit localities from adopting “any ordinance, procedure, or policy that restricts the enforcement of federal immigration laws.” The chamber advanced the bill despite opposition from Democrats, but it still needs a final vote.

Related

Apr. 6, 2023 Newscast
Apr. 4, 2023 News Update

rockbridgereport

The commonwealth’s attorney for Rockbridge Count The commonwealth’s attorney for Rockbridge County and Lexington said he wants victims of sexual assault at Washington and Lee University to seek help from police and prosecutors who can investigate and file criminal charges. 

In the past month, two former W&L students have faced sexual assault charges.

Read Ned Newton’s full story on our website, rockbridgereport.wlu.edu.
Lexington’s City Council has given the go-ahead Lexington’s City Council has given the go-ahead for a developer to begin drafting plans to build apartments off Spotswood Drive. 

The new permit approval comes after months of controversy about the design. 

Read Andrew Arnold’s full story on our website, rockbridgereport.wlu.edu.
A new, 24-hour EMS crew will help in providing bac A new, 24-hour EMS crew will help in providing backup services to Glasgow and other nearby cities and towns.

For more details on the new EMS crew, visit: https://youtu.be/k03HNBKB978.
Buddy, the horse, and Police Chief Angela Greene l Buddy, the horse, and Police Chief Angela Greene led the Lexington Christmas Parade. Buddy is one of the future Mounted Police Unit horses working with the Lexington police. 

Watch Buddy and the latest broadcast of the Rockbridge Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDZ4A6xuk-4
A developer sought final city approval this week t A developer sought final city approval this week to build 62 apartment units on Lexington’s Spotswood Drive.

Echelon Resources went before the city’s planning commission Thursday to request a permit allowing the developer company to construct multi-family housing at the Spotswood site. The planning commission will offer a recommendation for approval or denial to the Lexington City Council. The city council will likely have a final vote on the permit in early January.

The proposal received some pushback from Lexington residents who fear the development will significantly increase traffic, impede the local hospital, or strain the city’s water and sewer systems. 

For more details on the Spotswood proposal visit: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/spotswood-drive-apartment-complex-moves-forward/
Lexington’s city manager is searching for a full Lexington’s city manager is searching for a full-time city attorney. The previous city attorney, Jared Jenkins, no longer serves in the position following his split from Mann Legal Group.

Learn more by visiting the Rockbridge Report website: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/lexington-replaces-city-attorney/
Two students at Virginia Military Institute and Wa Two students at Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University posted bomb threats on anonymous social media platforms last week.

After investigations, both posts proved to be false alarms. Disciplinary measures for the students are unclear. 

Read the full story here: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/two-university-bomb-threats-posted-on-anonymous-social-media-proved-false/
Local nonprofits, like the Rockbridge Area Relief Local nonprofits, like the Rockbridge Area Relief Association (RARA) and Washington and Lee’s Campus Kitchen, will provide extra support for families facing food insecurity during the holidays.

Read more about this on the Rockbridge Report website: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/community-groups-to-offer-food-to-students-and-their-families-during-holiday-break/
“Normal people can’t afford that." Lexington “Normal people can’t afford that."

Lexington is Stacey Dickerson-Suggs’ hometown, but the single mother can’t afford to live here. Virginia house prices are going up about 10% each year. In Lexington, the median price of a home has increased 27% in the past year.

Read more about this on the Rockbridge Report website: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2022/12/08/lexington-renters-buyers-cant-find-affordable-housing/
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Twitter
My Tweets
Reporters
Producers
Supervisors

Kevin Finch

Toni Locy

Alecia Swasy

Michael Todd

Rockbridge Report
© 2023 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version
 

Loading Comments...