Virginia Supports Arizona's Immigration Rules

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli jumps on board

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has joined a new initiative supporting Arizona’s strict immigration law.

The law, which takes effect July 29, directs police enforcing other laws to ask about a suspect’s immigration status if there is reason to believe the person is in this country illegally.  It also makes it a crime for legal immigrants not to carry their immigration documents.

The Obama administration has challenged the new law in federal court in Arizona.  The federal government claims the law intrudes on its immigration enforcement authority.  Opponents of the Arizona statute also say it would lead to racial profiling.

Virginia is one of nine states siding with Arizona in the court papers filed Tuesday.  The papers claim states have the authority to help enforce federal immigration laws.

"While much of border enforcement is left to the federal government, federal law expressly allows states to arrest people who are not legally present in the United States," Cuccinelli said.  "Arizona's law doesn't change any of this. That's why we are stunned that the government has sued Arizona."

This is not the first time Cuccinelli has clashed with the federal government since taking office in January.  He also has gone to court over the administration's health care reform bill and the Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of greenhouse gases.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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