Gov. McDonnell Shoots Down Immigration Request

NBC reported that: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is turning a deaf ear to requests that his administration not pursue civil immigration law-enforcement powers. Instead, he wants to give state and local police the green light to check an immigrant’s citizenship status when making an arrest. That would entail being able to question and detain illegal immigrants suspected in crimes. The Virginia Alliance for Sensible Community Policing Efforts sent the governor a letter Monday highlighting its opposition. "We are particularly concerned about the severe chilling effect that descends on immigrant communities, and especially on immigrant crime victims and witnesses, if they perceive that law enforcement is to be feared rather than trusted," the alliance wrote.