Virginia Delegate urges declaration of "state-of-emergency" in ref to Illegal immigration

Delegate Jeff Frederick ^ | 08/19/05 | Delegate Jeff Frederick

[W04Man]

August 19, 2005
The Honorable Mark R. Warner
The State Capitol
3 rd Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Dear Governor Warner:

As you may have recently heard, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano declared a “state-of-emergency” in their respective states to combat the issue of illegal immigration. My understanding is these declarations have made additional federal homeland security funding available to more directly confront the unauthorized immigration taking place in these states.

Representing an area that is increasingly burdened by illegal immigrants, I believe the time has come for you to join with Governors Richardson and Napolitano and follow their lead in taking similar action on behalf of the Commonwealth. As you know, the challenge we face with illegal aliens is not unique to eastern Prince William County – it is indeed happening in communities all over Virginia. It has resulted in increase public service costs, strain on local law enforcement, intimidation of citizens at local convenience stores, and an increase in violent crime and gang activity. This is a growing problem that needs immediate attention, and with the federal government neglecting to seriously address the issue on our national borders, we must do more to within our state’s borders – with those tools available to us. Declaring a state-of-emergency is a tool at your disposal, and I encourage you to use it.

With estimates at over 120,000 illegal aliens in Virginia, we have a major problem. Every one of these individuals unauthorized to be here have cut the line and taken away opportunities for our citizens and those that have immigrated here legally. Their presence, their continued drain on resources and their threat to community safety is an insult not only to the hard-working taxpayers of Virginia, but also to all those who have followed the rules and our laws, waited their turn in line, and come to the United States legally – including my immigrant mother, family, neighbors and friends. This has been and clearly is a threat to both our national and state security, but also to our special quality of life as citizens of Virginia.

I hope you will take this opportunity to protect the Commonwealth from this increased threat. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Jeff Frederick

[W04Man]

Jeff Frederick is a member of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 52nd District.

[William Terrell]

My understanding is these declarations have made additional federal homeland security funding available to more directly confront the unauthorized immigration taking place in these states.

Hummm. . .

[angkor]

an insult not only to the hard-working taxpayers of Virginia, but also to all those who have followed the rules and our laws, waited their turn in line, and come to the United States legally – including my immigrant mother, family, neighbors and friends.

I'll second that: my wife is from abroad, and now a U.S. citizen. Jumping through the hoops of the then-INS is not something I'd wish on anyone.

Not to mention that we know plenty of people who've waited up to 10 years to get visas approved, and others who've have made very unpleasant sacrifices in order to get here. Legally.

George Bush should be honest and note that his "guest worker" proposal will break the back of the ailing U.S. Immigration Service completely, and send millions of pending and legal applications into an infinite black hole.

[gubamyster]

ping

[TheLion]

They are here, I see them every day!

[craig_eddy]

I recently spoke to a city council-person of a city in Prince William County. This council-person stated to me that the cost of illegals currently in that city's jail is that city's LARGEST annual expense.

Sounds like a state of emergency is indeed in order.