The DCPost has an article about a proposal by Virginia to build a detention center for arrested illegal immigrants. State Sen. Ken Stolle is leading the crime commission that is crafting this proposal and its intriguing.
Under the proposal, announced at a meeting of the State Crime Commission, Virginia would finance construction of the center through bond sales and use it to detain illegal immigrants charged with crimes that usually do not trigger long prison terms.State officials are not sure where the center would be located, how much it would cost or how long it would take to build.
"What we are trying to do here is have enough bed space so every sheriff knows if they arrest an illegal immigrant on some of these charges, there is space for them until someone can pick them up," said Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle (R-Virginia Beach), chairman of the crime commission, which is developing the proposal. The legislative commission studies and makes recommendations on public safety.
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In 2006, local police and sheriff's departments in Virginia notified ICE of about 12,000 illegal immigrants in their jails, but ICE picked up only 690, Stolle said. ICE officials could not independently confirm the numbers.
"It is not ICE's fault. They are dealing with the resources they have," Stolle said. "But if Virginia wants ICE to be effective, we've got to find creative ways for them to be effective."
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Stolle stressed that the center would not be used to house immigrants whose only crime is being in the country illegally, nor would it house those convicted of serious crimes such as homicide.
Instead, it would house illegal immigrants arrested and charged with less serious offenses -- such as driving under the influence or sexual assault -- who state officials and ICE agree should be forced to leave the United States.
Now, of course provisions must be made that this is a humane center that will respect basic human rights. But the fact is, this makes sense. Our prison facilities are often too crowded as it is. Furthermore, Gov. Kaine attempt to get back under his desk on this issue by saying its a federal problem is ridiculous. The federal government has proven that they don't want to do anything about this. We can't afford to stand around and watch the state and fedral government get into a protracted staring contest. Some localities are doing something about this, and Stolle is advocating the right thing here. This would streamline the process, make things easier for the state, and enable ICE to properly do their jobs.
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