GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, and after consulting with law enforcement, I veto House Bill 2000, which imposes an unnecessary and divisive requirement upon localities regarding the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

This legislation does nothing more than send a hostile message to immigrant communities across the Commonwealth. While House Bill 2000 operates under the false guise of public safety, the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution already ensures that a state or local government may not override federal immigration laws. The practical effect of this legislation is to send an anti-immigration message that must be viewed in the larger context of discussions occurring at the national level today.

Localities have the right to determine whether or not to expend the resources and voluntarily enter into an agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Police divisions across the Commonwealth have a long tradition of engaging in community policing strategies, and many have determined that it is more important to develop a relationship with immigrant communities in order to keep all of those who live within the locality safe.

Rather than sowing division within our communities, we should be pursuing policies that are open and welcoming as we work to build the new Virginia economy. Legislation like House Bill 2000 promotes an anti-immigrant message that serves the opposite purpose, and job creators will look elsewhere when determining whether to do business in our Commonwealth.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.