Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell proposed a series of legislative initiatives on Tuesday targeting jailed illegal immigrants and mental health reform, among other topics.
McDonnell, a Republican, told reporters the two issues were his top priorities in the 2008 General Assembly session, which starts today. He rolled out fewer measures than previous years, however, partly because of budget constraints caused by the state’s $641 million shortfall.
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The attorney general’s proposal would compel Virginia law enforcement officers to contact an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement bureau to determine whether a person arrested was legally present in the country.
He also proposed denying bond to those accused of being illegal immigrants.
“I’ve said many times those who want to come to America work hard, play by the rules, pay taxes, obey the law, and assimilate into the culture, we ought to welcome them here and they ought to be part of the Virginia experiment,” McDonnell said. “But those who come here illegally and then commit crimes against Virginians ought to be detained and deported. I think there is broad public support for that.”
On mental health, McDonnell, like other Virginia officials both Republican and Democrat, wants to broaden the standard for involuntary commitment beyond the standard of “imminent danger to self or others.” His bills also would allow information sharing between mental health providers and public safety officials as part of the commitment process.
He also wants to increase penalties for those who participate in or finance animal fighting, which he said was prompted by the Michael Vick dogfighting scandal.
