For Immediate Release
January 14, 2019
Contact: Jasmine Leeward, [email protected], 757-478-1792 (call or text)

Statement by New Virginia Majority on advancement of SB 1156

 Today SB 1156, an anti-immigrant bill sponsored by Sen. Richard Black, advanced out of committee. Anti-immigrant legislation such as SB 1156 pose a risk to public safety and enshrine discrimination. At a time when many Virginians are struggling, our elected representatives must focus on authentic justice for working families — good jobs, quality public schools, and affordable housing.

“Legislation like SB 1156 open our localities to legal liability and make intolerance the law of our Commonwealth,” said Tram Nguyen, Co-Executive Director of New Virginia Majority. “Virginia should pursue policies that make us more, not less, welcoming to newcomers. We won’t stop working to make Virginia fulfill the promise of its residents to be a just, welcoming and democratic place."

Localities currently have some discretion on how they engage with federal immigration agencies like ICE. SB 1156 would prevent localities from exercising reasonable and appropriate discretion in how they interact with immigrants and immigrant detainees. As we work to create better pathways to citizenship, we oppose legislation that target and criminalizes immigrant communities and weaken public safety.

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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic and environmentally sustainable