Local Immigrants "Live in Fear" After Legislation Passes House

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Updated: 9:26 AM Feb 9, 2011

Newsplex/AP

A slate of immigrant bills pass the House of Delegates Tuesday, which has local immigrants fearing for their lives. A Charlottesville community of immigrants voiced opposition to what they're calling a human rights violation, but those in favor say the legislation is necessary.

Posted: 5:47 PM Feb 8, 2011
Reporter: Jessica Jaglois
Email Address: jessica.jaglois@newsplex.com

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February 8, 2011

Maria Jimenez and her two children live in the Southwood Mobile Home Park. Theirs is one of at least 400 immigrant families living in Charlottesville. Jimenez came to the United States 12 years ago to make a better life for herself.

"In my country, I didn't have a bed to sleep in," she said. "I didn't want the same for my children."

Jimenez and fellow members of the Southwood Alliance, which fights for immigrant rights, stood before Charlottesville City Council Monday night to ask for the board's support in opposing a packet of ten bills proposed in the Virginia House of Delegates.

After City Council heard Jimenez speak Monday, councilors concluded that the legislation perpetuates a problem that prevents immigrants from bettering their lives.

"We live in fear with all these laws coming. Not only in Virginia but around the U.S," said Jimenez.

However, the show of strength at City Hall and the objection from City Council were not enough to keep lawmakers from passing the legislation on Tuesday. Delegates advanced a slate of anti-immigrant bills that Jimenez says could affect hundreds of immigrants living in Charlottesville.

Lawmakers passed a measure to require Virginia's public colleges to bar admission to undocumented students and legislation denying public benefits to illegal aliens. The House voted 75-24 Tuesday to approve Del. Christopher Peace's bill, which would amend state law to require colleges to have written policies explicitly denying enrollment to people who are in the United States illegally.

"We feel, discriminated against," explained Jimenez.

The House also approved Del. David Albo's bill requiring localities to verify that citizens are legal U.S. residents before providing state or local public assistance. Another measure would allow Virginia State Police to perform certain immigration enforcement functions under an agreement with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Delegate Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, who voted for the legislation tells CBS19, "Granting government benefits to those who are illegally living in the U.S. creates incentives for illegal immigration and is counter-productive."

Latest Comments

Posted by: Philip Location: Maiami on Apr 3, 2011 at 12:03 PM

Subtitle A of Title I assembles a vision of effective and accountable enforcement for the 21st century through maximizing border security by requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to form a national strategy that is consistent with the progress already made. In order to achieve these goals, oversight and accountability for the Department of Homeland van roof racks are emphasized, especially as they pertain to fiscal appropriations and cost-benefit analyses of operations and programs.

Posted by: Dee Location: Arlington on Feb 16, 2011 at 12:22 PM

I lived in Charlottesville for 4 years, and I commend the City for opposing this racist legislation. Prior to living in Charlottesville, I lived in Prince William, which PASSED a law similar to the proposed VA legislation and the controversial AZ legislation (the laws that mandate that policemen check immigration papers of anyone suspected of not being a citizen). This law lasted in PWC for a very short time, and in that time, the amount of racial profiling in our county skyrocketed. Residential aliens left, closing local businesses, and PWC was shamed into discontinuing the law. I emphatically disagree with this legislation, especially the proposals which would deny basic rights to minor US children whose parents are not citizens...for how many generations of US citizens will you deny US rights, based on the "crimes" of their parents? Were your ancestors not immigrants fleeing religious persecution or poverty? Did they wait on an interminable visa list or just seek a better life here?

Posted by: james Location: fluvanna on Feb 10, 2011 at 05:54 AM

i agree with legislation,the woman with the kids,should take her children with her when she goes home.if the people that get paid to stop and send illegals back did their job we would not be having this debate.if i don't do my job i have to find a new job.no wait i am in construction the illegals have all of those.i guess you will have to pay for me and my family also.this should not be a debate,break the law go to jail or go back.i say go back.we don't want to pay for jailing illegals.when they come back across the border again and again.three striks your out.if you want to see illegals working the system,go to the hospital.she pushes a stroller,holds the hand of her oldest child,and is caring one in her belly,i guess we are paying for all of them.

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