Pro-immigrant groups back fed reform bill

Reforming immigration policy is better handled on the national level than through piecemeal policy changes that vary from state to state, members of pro-immigrant groups said at a news conference in the State Capitol Thursday.

Several speakers at the event extolled the virtues of those undocumented residents, among them Del. Adam Ebbin, D-Arlington, and Walter Tejada,a member of the Arlington County Board of Supervisors.

"Immigrants contribute a great deal to our work force," said Ebbin, who said Virginia is "fortunate" to have those residents living in the state.

The groups representated at the event are part of a national coalition that supports passage of a federal bill to modify immigration rules. That's a better approach, the advocates contend, than pursuing anti-immigrant legislation year after year in the General Assembly.

Not everyone shares that view, however.

"At the very time we are cutting state funds to education that will be provided to citizens and legal immigrants, it would be very cost effective to encourage illegal aliens to depart Virginia so we don't spend scarce taxpayer dollars educating illegal aliens," said Greg Letiecq, a northern Virginia resident who has crusaded for a crack down on people living in the state unlawfully.

 -- Julian Walker

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