With Democrats pushing a number of progressive policies now that they are in control of Virginia, a Virginia state Democrat is working to ban immigration agents from operating near polling places.
Democrat Virginia Del. Alfonso H. Lopez introduced the bill, which has been described as a “safeguard.” The bill, HB 1442, would amend the Code of Virginia to prohibit law enforcement from “any act for the purpose or in furtherance of enforcement of federal immigration laws” within 40 feet of a polling place.
The move has left Republicans wondering why a Democrat would move to prevent immigration law enforcement at polling places if Democrats believe illegal immigrants are not voting in Virginia elections.
“My Republican colleagues and I were shocked at the brazenness of this bill,” Virginia Del. Anne Ferrell Tata told The Daily Signal.
“First, states can’t restrict the actions of the federal government. But more importantly, what’s the purpose behind this bill? Democrats tell us illegal aliens aren’t voting. It’s quite a coincidence,” Tata continued.
This is not the only election integrity bill Virginia Democrats have pushed since taking the majority this month.
Democrat Virginia Del. Marcia S. Price introduced HB 968 to ban hand-counting paper ballots, and Democrat state Sen. Barbara Favola introduced SB 58 to extend the deadline for accepting absentee ballots.
“I think they owe the people an explanation of the logic behind these bills,” said Dave Brat, a former Virginia congressman and Virginia state delegate. He spoke with The Daily Signal about his frustration with this bill and the many more that would impact voter and election integrity.
“I don’t think anybody ran on these things. I have never heard anything about that,” Brat continued.
“Virginians have to look at the whole package. There’s five or six [introduced bills] and all have to do with making voting less transparent and more problematic,” Brat said.
“All these bills are a march to the left, and all you have to do is take a look at the left states and their performance,” Brat continued. “Minneapolis right now is rioting all across the streets because local law enforcement won’t cooperate with the federal. Everywhere where the local does cooperate with the federal, there’s peace and quiet and harmony,” Brat added.
Lopez did not provide a comment to The Daily Signal.