RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia communities that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities could be sued for crimes committed by people living in the country illegally under a measure approved by the state Senate.
The chamber voted 21-19 Monday on the measure from Republican Sen. Dick Black designed to crack down on so-called sanctuary cities.
Black says victims of crimes committed by people in the country illegally often have little recourse, and the bill would fix that.
But several Democrats who spoke against the bill said it would leave taxpayers on the hook for something that shouldn't be their responsibility.
They also said the bill would be difficult to enforce because it defines a sanctuary city as one that acts intentionally to restrict the enforcement immigration law.
Richmond Balks
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has issued a directive affirming policies of inclusion in response to President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Stoney issued the directive Monday, saying, "we stand with all our residents as a welcoming American city, inclusive and diverse." He added that he believes Trump's actions are "ill-informed and ... misguided."
The directive reiterates the city's existing policies in response to Trump's ban on refugees and travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
Stoney says the Richmond Police Department will maintain its policy of not asking residents it encounters about their immigration status.
