Woodbridge, Virginia (August 23, 2007) -- The first and only Latino elected to state government wants to crack down on Virginia localities that provide sanctuary to illegal aliens in Virginia.

Delegate Jeff Frederick announced today that he is drafting legislation that will prohibit any form of state funding to Virginia counties, cities, or towns that have policies in place that disregard a person's illegal status for the purposes of providing services or engaging in law enforcement activities.

"Providing sanctuary to illegal immigrants in essence encourages illegal immigration, and it makes Virginia a destination for illegals. We want to stop these policies that invite people who are not legally present in the United States from coming to Virginia, and this legislation will put some teeth behind existing state law", Frederick said.

Frederick's legislation would be aimed at local governments who ignore the provisions of current state law that makes illegal aliens ineligible for state and local public benefits, as well as at those local law enforcement agencies that prohibit police from inquiring about a person's immigration status. Frederick points out, for example, that Arlington County actually provides housing subsidies to people they know are illegal, and they forbid local police from working with federal immigration authorities.

Earlier this summer, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution that targets illegal immigrants by attempting to curb their access to public services and increasing immigration enforcement by local police. Frederick's legislative district is located in Prince William County, and his legislation would have the practical effect of requiring every local government to act similarly to Prince William, or face losing state dollars.

"Illegal immigration is costing the taxpayers of Virginia a fortune, and it is harming the quality of life of our citizens. It's time that we require our local governments to obey state law", Frederick added.

Frederick said his idea is modeled after the federal government's tactic in threatening to withhold highway funds to states that did not up the drinking age to 21. His legislation will be filed for consideration during the 2008 session of the General Assembly, which will convene in January.

While Frederick was born in Virginia, his mother -- now a U.S. citizen -- was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia where most of that side of his family still resides, including his grandmother.