Jim Gilmore calls out Mark Warner on the enforcement of immigration laws

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore praised Attorney General Bob McDonnell and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for their recent success in taking action to remove 171 convicted criminal alien sex offenders from Virginia.

Noting that Gov. Tim Kaine has opposed efforts to work out an agreement with ICE to allow Virginia State Police to enforce federal immigration laws in the course of enforcing Virginia laws against violent crime, Gilmore asked: "Where does Mark Warner stand on this important issue? With Governor Kaine? Or with the people of Virginia who are fed up of pandering to those who are breaking our laws?"

"Why should illegal aliens who commit crimes like this in our communities get the opportunity to victimize Virginians again and again?" Gilmore asked. "It's time for Mark Warner to stand up and be counted on this issue, which is costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and threatening our citizens and communities."

"These cooperative efforts to work in conjunction with federal authorities and remove criminal illegal aliens from the Commonwealth should be one of the many steps that can be taken at the state and federal levels to decrease illegal immigration and enforce immigration laws already in the books," Gilmore, a former prosecutor and former Attorney General, declared.

The Virginia State Police and ICE successfully carried a major law enforcement action called "Operation Cold Play" which is part of a multi-year effort targeted at sex offenders nationwide. This action came about as a result of Attorney General Bob McDonnell's request that the State Police check the birthplace of each individual on the Virginia sex offender registry and share that information with ICE.

"Legal immigration is a vital component of our nation's greatness. Illegal immigration is not," Gilmore said. "Ignoring the problems caused by illegal immigration undermines our nation's security and the rule of law. As U.S. Senator, I will work to ensure that Virginia has the needed federal resources to work with ICE and other federal authorities so we can protect our citizens and enforce immigration laws."

Cross-posted at Bloggers 4 Jim Gilmore