Governor Northam vetoes legislation imposing unnecessary requirements on localities regarding Federal Immigration Law Enforcement

RICHMOND—Governor Northam today, March 19th,  vetoed House Bill 2270, which would impose an unnecessary requirement upon localities regarding the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The Governor’s veto statement is below.

Summary of bill: Release of certain incarcerated aliens from jail; notice to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Requires that the sheriff, jail superintendent, or other official in charge of a local correctional facility or a regional jail in which an alien is incarcerated shall notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the release or discharge of the alien forthwith as soon as the release date is known.

March 19, 2019

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 2270, which imposes an unnecessary requirement upon localities regarding the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Local and regional correctional facilities have, and should retain, discretion to determine how they choose to engage with federal immigration agencies. This legislation impedes decision-making by administrators of these facilities by eliminating that discretion.

Public safety agencies across the Commonwealth have a long tradition of engaging in community policing strategies, and many have recognized how important it is to develop a relationship with immigrant communities in order to keep all of those who live within the locality safe. The safety of our communities requires that all people, whether they are documented or not, feel comfortable, supported and protected by our public safety agencies.

There are many actions we can take to support public safety and keep Virginians safe. Eliminating local discretion and impeding local decision-making are not appropriate options. Were it to become law, this bill would send a clear message to people across the Commonwealth that our public safety agencies are to be feared and avoided rather than trusted and engaged.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.
Sincerely,
Ralph S. Northam