The State of Virginia has joined Arizona and other states in the national debate over immigration. A legal opinion issued by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli permits law enforcement in that state to check the immigration status of anyone stopped by police officers for any reason. Previously law enforcement officers in Virginia were required to investigate the legal status only of those who were arrested and jailed.
A spokesman for Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell said the Governor will review the opinion, saying it built upon an opinion he issued as attorney general in 2007. The Virginia opinion is less stringent than the Arizona law that required Arizona authorities to question people who they have a reasonable suspicion are illegal immigrants.
Virginia does have a high population of illegal immigrants. An estimated 275,000 to 425,000 live in Virginia according to the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington. There is an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States.
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