Immigration Assistance bill moves in Senate

By Lillian Kafka

Published: February 21, 2008

RICHMOND - Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter’s idea for a new Office on Immigration Assistance has a blessing and pledged funding from the House of Delegates; now the Republican from Dale City needs the same approval from the Senate.

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee gave Lingamfelter’s HB 1174 the go-ahead on Wednesday and sent it to the Finance Committee, which will determine if they’ll spend money to fund the initiative. House leaders have already OK’d $400,000.

The Office on Immigration Assistance would help immigrants who are on the path to citizenship with employment, housing and other services.

So far, the Senate’s version of the biennial budget does not have the $400,000 programmed to fund this agency.

“I’m hoping to find money for it in conference,” Lingamfelter said Wednesday.

The Coalition of Latino Organizations supports the initiative. It’s a “really good idea,” said Claire Guthrie Gasta"aga, who represents the coalition.

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee was slated to hear other immigration-related bills, such as one from Del. Jackson H. Miller, R-Manassas.

His HB 623 would allow state law enforcement to work directly with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport criminal illegal aliens and enforce immigration law.

The committee adjourned before hearing this and other bills.