The immigrant group that opposes the proposal by Governor Glenn Youngkin to strip funding from so-called sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was denied federal funding by the Prince William County commission in February after it reportedly filed nearly $200,000 in expenses that are unfit for federal dollars distributed by the county.
Youngkin on Thursday unveiled a budget plan that includes a “No Sanctuary Cities” proposal that would require local law enforcement agencies to coordinate with ICE or lose funding.
“Criminals who are in the United States illegally will be turned over to ICE. We must stop the cycle of violence and crime that is being enabled by some local governments,” stated Youngkin in a press release. “Virginia is not a sanctuary state, and we must be clear that we will not allow localities to become ‘sanctuary cities.’ If local governments turn their backs on their citizens in order to pander to pro-illegal immigrant groups, we will cut off their funding.”
Attorney General Jason Miyares stated that sanctuary cities are a “policy of failure,” and said cities who refuse to work with ICE place “criminals over victims” and actively create “confusion between the law enforcement, federal authorities, and those prosecutors who are trying to do their job.”
Despite the attorney general’s statement about sanctuary city policies, CASA, a nonprofit immigrant advocacy group, claimed removing sanctuary city policies would create confusion between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
“By targeting localities like Richmond and Fairfax, which have chosen to prioritize trust and public safety by not proactively cooperating with ICE, Governor Youngkin’s proposal puts lives at risk,” said CASA Virginia director Luis Aguilar in a statement. He questioned, “How can we expect anyone, immigrant or otherwise, to reach out to law enforcement in times of need when they fear deportation or discrimination?”
Aguilar stated, “CASA stands with Virginia’s immigrant communities and calls on the Governor to reconsider this dangerous proposal.”
The group has advocated for policy in Virginia since 2014, and InsideNova reported it was slated to receive $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act money to build a “welcome center” in Woodbridge until February when the outlet reported a county audit determined CASA spent nearly $200,000 on purchases ineligible for federal funding.
According to that report, CASA spent almost $200,000 on marketing materials and supplies, including “lip balm, hand sanitizer, drawstring bags, hoodies, lanyards, thermometers, sunscreen, pill boxes and ‘fidget fun blocks.’” The group denied any wrongdoing to the outlet.
In light of the questionable purchases, Prince William Times reported the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted to reduce the amount granted to CASA from $2 million to $500,000.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Glenn Youngkin” by Governor of Virginia.
