House Bill 2989 will require local entities enforce immigration laws and HB 4440 seeks to ban sanctuary cities. These bills are somewhat competitive, but are also somewhat complementary. I recommend these bills be reconciled to ensure the concepts of banning sanctuary areas and requiring enforcement of immigration laws are fully realized.
I strongly support both concepts in these bills and will seek to reinforce our efforts to ensure illegal immigration to West Virginia is stopped. I propose that the state legislature:
- Direct prosecution of any individuals engaging in human trafficking of illegal immigrants to or through West Virginia, including efforts by the federal government to resettle illegal immigrants.
- Direct the Attorney General to collaborate with other states’ Attorney’s General to conduct law enforcement actions to shut down human trafficking, including suits against the federal government, agents of the federal government and any entity supporting human trafficking.
Montani Semper Liberi