Virginia State Advisory Subcommittee to Review Immigration Issues in Virginia

WOODBRIDGE, Va., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights:

    WHAT:    Briefing Meeting of the Immigration Subcommittee of the
             Virginia State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on
             Civil Rights
    WHEN:    Wednesday, December 14, 2007, 9:30 a.m.
    WHERE:   One County Complex Court, Woodbridge, Virginia

The Immigration Subcommittee of the Virginia State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will convene in Woodbridge, VA, to gather a broad cross-section of viewpoints from local officials, immigration specialists, and advocacy groups about the recent immigration resolution in Prince William County.

In January 2004, President Bush called upon Congress to enact comprehensive immigration legislation that, he argued, would protect and secure the border while still upholding our tradition as a nation of immigrants. The House and Senate considered two starkly different immigration bills, but no final legislation was passed. Since that time local jurisdictions have crafted their own policies. Recently, the Board of Supervisors in Prince William County, Virginia, passed a resolution that makes it harder for illegal immigrants to access county services.

The Immigration Subcommittee, co-chaired by Linda Chavez and Edmund Cooke, will review immigration issues in Virginia, including the potential impact that such legislative actions may have on law enforcement, community services, and communities.

Following the subcommittee briefing, the Virginia State Advisory Committee will conduct a planning meeting to discuss possible future project planning topics, such as access to economic opportunities and racial clustering in Virginia public schools.

The Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has established state advisory committees to advise the Commission about civil rights issues in their states that are within the Commission's jurisdiction. More specifically, the committees are authorized to receive reports, suggestions, and recommendations from individuals, public officials, and representatives of public and private organizations in response to committee inquiries; forward advice and recommendations to the Commission; and assist the Commission in its public education and outreach efforts. The committees are comprised of state citizens who serve without compensation...

Committee members serve two year terms. The members of the Virginia State Advisory Committee are: Chairperson Linda Chavez, Lloyd R. Cohen, Stanley A. Cook, Edmund D. Cooke, Horace M. Cooper, Toa Q. Do, Rachel H. Fisher, Todd F. Gaziano, Louisa C. Greve, James M. Hingeley, Curt A. Levy, Richard A. Samp, Andrew Shannon, Jeanene E. Sims, Ryung Suh, Jason B. Torchinsky, and Lacy B. Ward, Jr.