Posted on 12/30/2005 11:32:40 PM PST by Daralundy
Edited on 12/30/2005 11:44:58 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
RICHMOND -- A new Virginia law that bars illegal aliens from receiving state-funded benefits goes into effect tomorrow.
The law restricts anybody without a Social Security number from receiving Medicaid, temporary assistance for needy families, and help from several other state and local programs.
Supporters say the measure could save the state millions.
"A lot of us were saying, instead of raising taxes, why don't we start prioritizing where we're spending our existing money," said Delegate David B. Albo, Fairfax Republican, who sponsored the bill. "One of the things we found was the state was not checking for legal presence for Medicaid."
Activists who oppose the new law say it duplicates other state and federal statutes that already block illegal aliens from receiving government benefits. For example, federal law prohibits immigrants without green cards or work visas from receiving food stamps and assistance from similar programs.
They also say the new law might confuse legal immigrants and keep them from applying for benefits to which they are entitled.
Mr. Albo could not specify how many illegal aliens might be receiving public benefits. But he said the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles rejected 187,000 applicants the first year after 2004 legislation restricted illegals from obtaining driver's licenses.
"To me, the same arguments that presented themselves for the ... driver's license debate are here in the public-benefits debate," said Mr. Albo, who sponsored the motor vehicle legislation. However, social services officials are not being inundated by illegal aliens, said Walter Tejada, chairman of the Virginia Latino Advisory Commission.
"The proponents of this law could never cite specific figures of exactly how much [money] it is that immigrants are draining out of the system," Mr. Tejada said. "It's a lot of hot air."
link to Washington Times article
I hope that sets a precedent that holds in the courts.
BRAVO!
L
So then, obviously they could have no objection to this new law, right?
Move along, scumbag "activists" - - nothing to see here....
The Dems will fight this ferociously because it's an idea that's going to sweep the country--that's a cliche, but it's true. Most people are going to simply say "We have no problem with those who come here legally," and support this in their own state.
If it saves one dollar, it is cost effective and worth it.
So then there is absolutely no problem, obviously.
Looks like I should think about retiring in Virginia! At least some of the politicians have common sense there.
I agree and was thinking that myself.
Now the rest of the states need to do the same.
yes, santa claus, there is a Virginia
How do you say "Goodbye in Virginia"? "Adios"
That's so not fair to who? The working taxpayers who pay for this BS, or the Illegal immigrants?
Well apparently we need to find out what these benefits are and block them as well. That way there'll be no confusion.
At the end of thats-so-not-fair, I typed in (insert whine here) between the greater than and less than signs (to the right of the letter m on the keyboard), but it didn't show.
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